When we left home, I had a travel size Colgate toothpaste tube with a little toothpaste in it. I also had just a tiny amount of Colgate toothpaste in those new holders that sit straight up. I thought to myself,"between these two supplies we should have enough toothpaste until I can get to the store." We now know that toothpaste is not something we have to bring in bulk to Africa because you can get all kinds of toiletries here. So I was thinking it would last us,at the most, a week.
This morning I was getting ready for church, and as I went to brush my teeth I realized, "we are still brushing our teeth with the same toothpaste we came with! Everyday, at least 2 times EACH we are using this same supply and they both look like they have the same amount in it. We will be bringing them home with us. I couldn't help reflect that this is God's miraculous way of reminding me that He will always supply our needs -- Even if we don't ask for it. But there is a deeper lesson for me. I was thinking each day He wanted to remind me that all he wants is His words, His kindness, His encouragement to come from a cleansed mouth and clean heart so they will bring forth fruit. This time at times can be a little hard for me. I have done almost nothing here this time but cook. But today the Pastor of the church we have been attending reminded us that Holiness is bringing comfort to others...loving and living as Jesus did. So if my words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart are acceptable to Him, and cleansed, I have done my part. So when I give that endless tube of toothpaste tonight a squeeze, I will thank Him that He has given me an illustration of my work here and I might even get a special "squeeze" from Him.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Today was my last time to evangelize in Kibera. We walked back on a very muddy path toward a small commercial area. People tend to visit in these areas and buy what food they can afford. We usually engage a few people in discussion and ask if they would let me talk to them. We present the gospel and invite them to pray. Today one lady asked if we would come to her home and pray for her son. She led us down this alley where people lived in unbelievable conditions. Walking through the mud we entered her home. They had a dirt floor and a couch were we sat. In front of the couch was a bed and a curtain hanging in front of it for privacy. That was all there was room for in the house. They had no bath room or running water (except for the mud outside). The cooking was done outside also. Under the bed I saw a family of mice running about.
It is hard to pray knowing how great their needs are and how little I can do. We asked God to bless and I will pray again for them tonight. They were very appreciative and we could only communicate by the interpeter. God does give grace to these people in their distress. Will you pray for Kenya tonight?
It is hard to pray knowing how great their needs are and how little I can do. We asked God to bless and I will pray again for them tonight. They were very appreciative and we could only communicate by the interpeter. God does give grace to these people in their distress. Will you pray for Kenya tonight?
Out of Africa
It has been a long time since I have written. The reason is that everyday seems the same. But on Monday we like to think we had a day off...you know Memorial Day. They of course don't celebrate that here but we wanted to do something different. So, we met Matt at the Java House (Kenya's Panera), and got some lunch for the girls that he was going to take to the school. They buy a lunch and usually once a week and go and have a special time with the kids at school. Bridget was in bed sick. Afterward we decided to take in a movie. On Mondays they have a special where you can get a hot dog, coke, and popcorn for the price of the theatre ticket. We had time to kill so we decided to have a nice lunch at a Japanese Restaurant. The restaurant and theatre were in this unbelieveably beautiful mall. It had around 5 floors, escalators and all the modern stores. We really felt like we were "out" of Afric because everthing was so modern, spotless, and expensive. Because we were in such a spotless place I splurged by ordering sushi. It just seem proper to go with something brave. When we were finished we had enough time to take in coffee house which was in the mall also. It was so American and I had the best cafe con leche since I left USA.We were all ready to leave when the waitress brought us a beautiful chocolate mousse cake with lots of whipped creme. I said, "we did not order this."She said "I know. This is on the house. We just wanted you to sample it for us." So, we gladly complied...THEN we finally went up to the movie where after Japanese salad, soup, sushi, choc mousse cake, and coffee, we went merrily into the counter to get our FREE popcorn and coke. Matt thought we would notlike the Kenyan hot dogs so he took a candy bar instead. Into the theatre for a most exciting movie and for two hours I forgot we were in Kenya. It was a great way to celebrate our holiday here.
Soon, in less than a week we will truly be going Out of Africa. We have enjoyed our time here so much. I think we were made for the challenges we have here. They are like a tug of war between my early upbringing and the present age. Here my upbringing serves me so well, you know making homemade bread because I just can't eat the bread here, making everything from scratch, trying to find an appropriate food to replace what they don't have here, cutting the chickens up because a whole chicken is what you get at the butcher, racing the mutatu's for the road, and when you are home relaxing from a well earned day. But soon we will be back to a much faster pace of life where my days melt into each other and we once again enter Into High Point Life.
Soon, in less than a week we will truly be going Out of Africa. We have enjoyed our time here so much. I think we were made for the challenges we have here. They are like a tug of war between my early upbringing and the present age. Here my upbringing serves me so well, you know making homemade bread because I just can't eat the bread here, making everything from scratch, trying to find an appropriate food to replace what they don't have here, cutting the chickens up because a whole chicken is what you get at the butcher, racing the mutatu's for the road, and when you are home relaxing from a well earned day. But soon we will be back to a much faster pace of life where my days melt into each other and we once again enter Into High Point Life.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Last weekend Coulson went on a 3 day trip to the coast of Kenya to Malindi to go deep sea fishing with Matthew. So Rich and I are holding down the fort here at the house. We will probably write more about this when he gets back. I am so glad he has a chance to do something like this with Matthew.
Meanwhile, we are having missionaries from Tanzania as our guests. They are a family of 6 children with a new baby being the youngest. They wrote apologetically for having so many to handle and then Coulson wrote back how we love large families since he is #8 of 10 children and I am #6 if 9. I am sure that served to set their hearts at ease. The preparation for them has been so much fun. Since my only job here this time is to feed everybody, I try my best to do that. So all week I have made preparations for their coming. One day I baked yeast bread and banana bread and froze them. Another day I made homemade applesauce. Today we put together a broccoli casserole, cooked carrots, fruit salad, and a chocolate cake. This all to compliment a special chicken meal I make. It calls for Russian dressing and since I couldn't get that here, I made my own. I just love cooking for a group. I realize how I missed cooking for many people because with just Coulson and I you just don't cook what can't be eaten.They will be here at 6:00 and hopefully we'll be ready for them.Coulson really hates he is going to miss them and even told me they can stay 2 nights for the price of one is they stay with us on their way back to Tanzania.
Along with making the meal, I made two cakes. One for the missionaries and one for Indiazi. Indiazi is one of the pastors who ministers along with coulson and Rich in Kibera. He contacted a bad case of Malaria last month and it came back again last week. So I wanted to take him some chicken soup. You know all Jewish wives say that is the best rememdy for what ails you. Then Rich said, I will tell you what will make him well quicker than anything, Make him a cake. He loves them so much he finds it hard to share even a piece with anyone else. So this morning I baked him a chocolate cake with chocolate icing, If that doesn't heal him, nothing will. Rich has to speak tomorrow morning at his church and will take it for him. We love this man of God and feel so privileged to work along side of him.
P.S. This is written two days later. The missionaries were a fabulous family. I thoroughly enjoyed their stay. They both attended Taylor U. when Matt was there. The children were so precious and helpful. They called me Grandma Mimi. By coincidence, his grandparents (now deceased) lived in High Point. Coulson is going to post a picture of the family.
Meanwhile, we are having missionaries from Tanzania as our guests. They are a family of 6 children with a new baby being the youngest. They wrote apologetically for having so many to handle and then Coulson wrote back how we love large families since he is #8 of 10 children and I am #6 if 9. I am sure that served to set their hearts at ease. The preparation for them has been so much fun. Since my only job here this time is to feed everybody, I try my best to do that. So all week I have made preparations for their coming. One day I baked yeast bread and banana bread and froze them. Another day I made homemade applesauce. Today we put together a broccoli casserole, cooked carrots, fruit salad, and a chocolate cake. This all to compliment a special chicken meal I make. It calls for Russian dressing and since I couldn't get that here, I made my own. I just love cooking for a group. I realize how I missed cooking for many people because with just Coulson and I you just don't cook what can't be eaten.They will be here at 6:00 and hopefully we'll be ready for them.Coulson really hates he is going to miss them and even told me they can stay 2 nights for the price of one is they stay with us on their way back to Tanzania.
Along with making the meal, I made two cakes. One for the missionaries and one for Indiazi. Indiazi is one of the pastors who ministers along with coulson and Rich in Kibera. He contacted a bad case of Malaria last month and it came back again last week. So I wanted to take him some chicken soup. You know all Jewish wives say that is the best rememdy for what ails you. Then Rich said, I will tell you what will make him well quicker than anything, Make him a cake. He loves them so much he finds it hard to share even a piece with anyone else. So this morning I baked him a chocolate cake with chocolate icing, If that doesn't heal him, nothing will. Rich has to speak tomorrow morning at his church and will take it for him. We love this man of God and feel so privileged to work along side of him.
P.S. This is written two days later. The missionaries were a fabulous family. I thoroughly enjoyed their stay. They both attended Taylor U. when Matt was there. The children were so precious and helpful. They called me Grandma Mimi. By coincidence, his grandparents (now deceased) lived in High Point. Coulson is going to post a picture of the family.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
...The Street Boys
Yesterday, I went into the slums of Kawangare with Coulson. Rich couldn't go because he had a meeting so I decided it was time for me to go with him. Last trip I went every week with him and then went over to the school to give a flannel graph story while Coulson evangelized. It was amazing to me how nothing has been done there to clean it up like in Kibera. The conditions are worse than I remembered. When we arrived at the church, I had prayer with the pastors and then they left me there with Monica, pastor Jacob's wife. Monica can't speak English so they called the school teacher over to help interpret. When it comes to communicating love we really don't need an interpreter. She and I love each other very much and how she shows it! When she greets me she goes crazy and lifts me in the air with her hugs. But when we want to share things we need an interpeter.
Anyway, Monica has started a new ministry. There are so many orphans in Nairobi, mostly from the aids epidemic. When they are young they go to school and have at least one meal a day there. But, the older ones have no where to go. So they go to the streets, sniff glue and other stuff. They are just filthy dirty because they have no where to clean up. They live on the streets and sleep on the streets at night. They carry their glue and stuff in a bag so before they are allowed to eat there they have to relinguish their bags to Monica. She tells thems "I was an orphan, I know what you do". She then gives their bags back to them when they leave. She now feeds these guys (we call them the street boys) once a week. They range in age from 10-17or older. Yesterday they had around 45 of them come for lunch. Rich said when they first started doing this, they had to go out and round the boys up. But now since they are doing it consistently, they come on their own. They came around 11:00am yesterday and kept coming until it was time to eat. While they are there Jacob talks to them, takes their name and is starting to get information about them. Some of the boys are starting to show up at his church on Sunday. They are sweet and respectfully, but they are so misguided and need to know the love of their heavenly Father.
The process in just making the food is so foreign to us. First Monica has to peel the potatoes and slice the cabbage. Then she has to go buy the meat for the day. The meat consists of about 1/2 lb. of chicken gizzards and another kilo of beef bones with a little meat on them. Then she has to build a charcoal fire by burning a box torn into small pieces placed under the coals. When the fire is hot enough she puts a big pot on it, 2 cups oil, and starts cooking chopped onions, about 8 tomatoes cut up, and about 3 dozen potatoes cut up. When they are soft she adds the meat and puts in a seasoning that they call mchuzi mix(a spicy meat flavoring). Finally she dumps in a waste can size amount of cut cabbage. You add a few pitchers of water and you have a delicious cabbage stew. Then because they only have one large charcoal burner, they switch that stew over to a little burner to stay warm. Then she starts over making rice on the same charcoal stove. She said she wished she could afford to get an electric burner to make the process easier and faster. The she just smiles big and says," but....AFRICA!!!" This costs Chris's ministry 2,000 shillings a day to supply this food. That is about $26.00. Their prayer is that they will be able to feed them every day. The next step is to get them off the streets and they are prayerfully considering how to do that.
Monica doesn't just make this meal but feeds the children in the school they have. On the days she feeds the street boys the children at the school just get juice and bread. The other days she cooks for the school children. When her daughters are off school, they help their mother, but now she is doing it alone. She asked me to pray that her health stays good and that God will give her strength, but most of all that she will be able to get someone to help her on a regular basis. Monica has diabetes and since I have it also, I was very sad to hear she cannot afford to take the medication she needs to manage it, The needs here are just so great. I was so overwhelmed when I came home from being there I couldn't eat or sleep well. May God forgive me when I complain about anything I find not to my liking.
Anyway, Monica has started a new ministry. There are so many orphans in Nairobi, mostly from the aids epidemic. When they are young they go to school and have at least one meal a day there. But, the older ones have no where to go. So they go to the streets, sniff glue and other stuff. They are just filthy dirty because they have no where to clean up. They live on the streets and sleep on the streets at night. They carry their glue and stuff in a bag so before they are allowed to eat there they have to relinguish their bags to Monica. She tells thems "I was an orphan, I know what you do". She then gives their bags back to them when they leave. She now feeds these guys (we call them the street boys) once a week. They range in age from 10-17or older. Yesterday they had around 45 of them come for lunch. Rich said when they first started doing this, they had to go out and round the boys up. But now since they are doing it consistently, they come on their own. They came around 11:00am yesterday and kept coming until it was time to eat. While they are there Jacob talks to them, takes their name and is starting to get information about them. Some of the boys are starting to show up at his church on Sunday. They are sweet and respectfully, but they are so misguided and need to know the love of their heavenly Father.
The process in just making the food is so foreign to us. First Monica has to peel the potatoes and slice the cabbage. Then she has to go buy the meat for the day. The meat consists of about 1/2 lb. of chicken gizzards and another kilo of beef bones with a little meat on them. Then she has to build a charcoal fire by burning a box torn into small pieces placed under the coals. When the fire is hot enough she puts a big pot on it, 2 cups oil, and starts cooking chopped onions, about 8 tomatoes cut up, and about 3 dozen potatoes cut up. When they are soft she adds the meat and puts in a seasoning that they call mchuzi mix(a spicy meat flavoring). Finally she dumps in a waste can size amount of cut cabbage. You add a few pitchers of water and you have a delicious cabbage stew. Then because they only have one large charcoal burner, they switch that stew over to a little burner to stay warm. Then she starts over making rice on the same charcoal stove. She said she wished she could afford to get an electric burner to make the process easier and faster. The she just smiles big and says," but....AFRICA!!!" This costs Chris's ministry 2,000 shillings a day to supply this food. That is about $26.00. Their prayer is that they will be able to feed them every day. The next step is to get them off the streets and they are prayerfully considering how to do that.
Monica doesn't just make this meal but feeds the children in the school they have. On the days she feeds the street boys the children at the school just get juice and bread. The other days she cooks for the school children. When her daughters are off school, they help their mother, but now she is doing it alone. She asked me to pray that her health stays good and that God will give her strength, but most of all that she will be able to get someone to help her on a regular basis. Monica has diabetes and since I have it also, I was very sad to hear she cannot afford to take the medication she needs to manage it, The needs here are just so great. I was so overwhelmed when I came home from being there I couldn't eat or sleep well. May God forgive me when I complain about anything I find not to my liking.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Birthday Party #2 Zan's
Last weekend I went back over to Bridget's to help her plan for Zan's party. She had originally told me there would be around 12 girls for a overnighter. Well it turned out there were 20! What a blast. Mind you this is 20 eight and nine year olders. She had shorts and shirts and new underwear for each girl so they wouldn't have to bring anything but a bathing suit and towel. That included a new toothbrush kit with tooth paste.They went swinmnming in the compound pool, she had four teachers from Saina's school come to do manicures, Pedicures, and facials, They all tie dyed a shirt. She had running suits for them and since they didn't fit, she had a semstress come and personally fit the pants for each girl. The cake was prepared by another lady. I baked it and made the icing and she decorated it. Then she made a pendant necklace for each and an album that she is going to put some pictures in for each of them. They actually all were down in sleeping bags all over the living room by about 10:00. I never heard them although I got up at 2;00am and they were still talking.
The next morning Bridget and Matt took them all to the Java House for breakfast. That is like America's Paneras.By 1:00 oclock the last kid was gone and Matt and Bridget drove me home. We were all so exhausted and ready for our own rest. It will be a year before their birthday's come around again. I am glad mine will be celebrated in Dubai with just Coulson and I. I am getting too old for this stuff.
The next morning Bridget and Matt took them all to the Java House for breakfast. That is like America's Paneras.By 1:00 oclock the last kid was gone and Matt and Bridget drove me home. We were all so exhausted and ready for our own rest. It will be a year before their birthday's come around again. I am glad mine will be celebrated in Dubai with just Coulson and I. I am getting too old for this stuff.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Mr Clean
Today was very interesting. We went to Kawangare as usual on Tuesday. The Pastor mentioned that there was a man that had come to the Church for help. He had refugee status and needed to get to a refugee Camp in the north of Kenya. He had no means because he had to flee the Congo with very little. He had spent the last two nights in another Church and was seeking assistence when he met our Pastor. You have to understand that the Pastors in these slums are also very poor and are able to provide very little. He shared this man's situation me and with Rich, the young man serving with me. Ordinarily we cannot respond to all the requests we get but felt led of the Lord to respond. We inquired as to the cost for him to travel to the refugee camp and provided the funds for a bus ticket plus some extra.
In talking to him, I learned that his name was Michelle an his wife had been shot by rebels in there town in the Congo. She died later from the wound and he fleed to Kenya for safety. He has a 3 year old son who his aunt or sister, I am not sure, took and also fleed. He is not sure where they are. The papers Kenya gave him expired and he was picked up by the police and put in Jail. I asked how that was and he said the guards were mean and he had been beaten. He is a believer and we prayed with him. I know God brought him to us to minister to. You have to be carefull because so many people create stories to get help but this was diferent. We saw the papers declaring him a refugee. We also saw the pain in his eyes. I cannot imagine what he has been through the past several months. Please pray for him -that he will arrive safely at the Refuge Camp, That he will get the help he needs, and also that he will find his son and other family members. What bothers me tonight is that I most likely will not hear the outcome of his story until glory.
On a lighter note, I went to the barbershop today. Sometimes I have trouble undertanding the Kenyan's accent when they talk English so I try not to embarass them by making them repeat themself. So today when he said do you want a cleancut I assumed he said do you want a haircut which I thought was pretty obvious so I said yes. Well a clean cut is not the way I usually cut my hair. Usually it's a little off the sides and clean the top. Well a clean cut is fashioned after Mr. Clean. Yep that my new look! State tuned it may grace ur blog soon. Mimi was not impressed.
In talking to him, I learned that his name was Michelle an his wife had been shot by rebels in there town in the Congo. She died later from the wound and he fleed to Kenya for safety. He has a 3 year old son who his aunt or sister, I am not sure, took and also fleed. He is not sure where they are. The papers Kenya gave him expired and he was picked up by the police and put in Jail. I asked how that was and he said the guards were mean and he had been beaten. He is a believer and we prayed with him. I know God brought him to us to minister to. You have to be carefull because so many people create stories to get help but this was diferent. We saw the papers declaring him a refugee. We also saw the pain in his eyes. I cannot imagine what he has been through the past several months. Please pray for him -that he will arrive safely at the Refuge Camp, That he will get the help he needs, and also that he will find his son and other family members. What bothers me tonight is that I most likely will not hear the outcome of his story until glory.
On a lighter note, I went to the barbershop today. Sometimes I have trouble undertanding the Kenyan's accent when they talk English so I try not to embarass them by making them repeat themself. So today when he said do you want a cleancut I assumed he said do you want a haircut which I thought was pretty obvious so I said yes. Well a clean cut is not the way I usually cut my hair. Usually it's a little off the sides and clean the top. Well a clean cut is fashioned after Mr. Clean. Yep that my new look! State tuned it may grace ur blog soon. Mimi was not impressed.
Christmas in May
You would have thought it was Christmas. I had asked my sister to send some very badly needed commodities here and they came yesterday. Matt called and said the box came in and his driver would bring them over today. I was so excited I couldn't stand it. You just would not believe what makes you happy when you don't have these things at hand. Well, I could get them here but they are either real expensive or very poor quality. First of all she sent three Wearever frying pans. The ones here were aching to be replaced. Bravo for Frying Pans!!! Then she got wooden clothes pins. We have been using plastic ones which in principle should work but time after time they either came loose while I was hanging them or we would find our clothes on the ground. Yeah for wooden clothes pins!!! Then of all things, the ironing board cover. The one they had melted every time you put the iron on it and then messed up the iron so bad you couldn't use it or the mess on the bottom of the iron got on on your clothes. Hurrah for ironing board covers!!! Then she sent us NEW drying dish towels and wash cloths. The old ones were ready to be used for rags. Cheers for dish towels and cloths!!! I happen to break one of the guests' coffee French Press, so Matsi replaced that and got a beauty. He will be so happy. Cudos for French Presses!!! Then to top it off she sent all kinds of treats...Mint patties, Good and Plentys, cashews, almonds and trail mix. Now I would say those are treats worth hiding...and I did. Thanks so much Matsi for doing that for us. I owe you plenty. The best thing about the box is the bonus that came along with it. When Matt called and said his driver Tony was coming over to deliver the box he added "and he will pick up the puppies" too. You see, Tony had told me he wanted 2 of the puppies. Matt told me that he would sell them. Coulson and Rich were very happy for him to do that...they didn't care as long as the puppies didn't stay here. So Tony came and he took all 3 puppies and that is the last of them. Now we have one little puppy that is staying here with our gardner Thomas. The ordeal of the eight puppies is over. No more messes, barking, and feedings. They were a lot of work. I feel a little let down however, as I started to actually get attached to them. The other four left last week.The next door neighbor took two and Kamal a friend of the ministry took two.
---Termites, Termites, Termites
Last night we had one of the biggest storms since we have been here. The clouds were gray much of the day, but in the evening it was joined by thunder and then the downpour. All of a sudden we had a deluge of giant, flying bugs that were about the size of dragon flies. Coulson realized they were drawn to the light so he turned all the lights off. Outside the window and doors we saw thousands of these flying around the outside lights. Just as quickly as they had come, they disappeared after the rain stopped.
The next morning I awaited Zipporah's explanation of this phenomenal event. She said they are termites. Their holes get wet so they come out with wings. When the rain stops they go back in again and leave their wings behind. Imagine my surprise when she said "we eat them"..."they are very sweet." She explained that they trap them in big baskets by putting flour in the basket. The flour makes them get stuck and takes the wings off so they can't climb out of the basket. Then you fry the termites. They are a delicacy and taste like candy". So be careful when you ask us to bring back something sweet.
The next morning I awaited Zipporah's explanation of this phenomenal event. She said they are termites. Their holes get wet so they come out with wings. When the rain stops they go back in again and leave their wings behind. Imagine my surprise when she said "we eat them"..."they are very sweet." She explained that they trap them in big baskets by putting flour in the basket. The flour makes them get stuck and takes the wings off so they can't climb out of the basket. Then you fry the termites. They are a delicacy and taste like candy". So be careful when you ask us to bring back something sweet.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
And Then There Were Grandchildren
This blog will tell you about our trips over to see Matt and Bridget. It is about a 40 minute ride across town provided there are not traffic jams which happens very frequently. The first trip they invited us to dinner and to spend the night. The dinner was a wonderful treat. Bridget made us roast pork with all the fixins. It was wonderful seeing them again. The following week Coulson took me over to help with Nia and Saina's birthday party. What an event that was. They had 20 kids...not all were invited. A sister or brother were invited and they brought their brother and sister along. Bridet says she always plans for that because it happens everytime. The theme for the party was "Disco"which was totally Nia's idea. As they came into the door, Bridget had a hat, shirt, beads, and sunglasses for each child. I brought a color ball along with me to help the ambiance, and we had balloons, silver stars and another glass ball. It was regal. Then there was the food. We began preparing for that early in the morning. We made chicken tenders, meatballs, fruit kabobs, carrot sticks, chips and dip,icecream and cake. It was all eaten up! The kids danced, played on the trampoline and had a great time.
Intermingled with the party, Nia was in the high school production of The King and I. She was the smallest child and she had a speaking part. So I went with Bridget to the Sat.afternoon show. She did a terrific job as did the whole cast. We were so proud of her. They had two performances the following week and Coulson and I went back again for the Friday night show. One of Matt"s work friends came to the show as well and afterward he invited Matt's and Coulson and I to dinner at the exclusive club where the Ambassadors hang out. the next night we drove over again for a very special evening of fine dining. So, our social life is not hurting. We almost forgot we were in Africa.
This week is Zan's turn for a birthday party. She is having a sleep over with 12!!! 8 year old girls. I am going over Friday to help Bridget again. She is going to tie-dye them a shirt, and then she has a running suit for each girl. She said she gets all these things real cheap through the internet. Then we are going to do pedi/medi's and play the night away. Matt is looking for an alternative place to stay and Bridget and I aren't planning on much sleep. Then in the morning she is taking them all to the Java House for breakfast. HELp! Bridget is known for her elaborate parties. She really enjoys putting them on for the girls...but what will they be doing at 16? I want to be around for those.!
Since we see Matt and Bridget so infrequently, it really is a special treat to spend quality time with them. The girls are so beautiful and precious. They treat us like we had no distance between us at all. They are immediately engaging and inviting. Saina is 4 now and her personality has really developed. She loves to tease and is a lot of fun. Nia, our little actress, loves people and is very affectionate. Zan who is 8 going on 12 is so creative and bright. All three will someday keep Matt and Bridget busy keeping the young men away from these precious Little Women.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Street Boys in Kawarngare
I am sitting at a coffee shop at the local market while Mimi is shopping. Today Rich, a young man from Arizona who is living at the Mission Home, and I, went to a small village just north of the city. It is about an hour and half across town through the center of Nairobi. We work with a young Pastor, who has established a Church there. We visited with people on the street and shared the gospel. Those that were receptive we provided the Bible study material and encouraged them. One of the young ladies we talked to last week had completed her lessons and was happy to see us. The Pastor will grade her book and provide the next booklet to study. He returns each week to follow up. Last month 10 people completed the course and were awarded Bibles. Four of them asked to join the Church. This Pastor is young (34) and is excited about seeing these young believers grow.
Yesterday we were in Kawarengare, a very poor slum in Nairobi. We talked with 22 people that expressed a desire to know Christ. They too will be followed up with materials to study. We also brought about 30 young boys, homeless, to the church to feed. These kids never bath and their clothes are filthy. The pastor's wife loves these boys ages 10 -25 and serves gladly. Most of them walk around sniffing glue all day. Several have come to the church on Sunday. The Pastor said they are behaved and have not been a problem. It is so hard for us to love the unlovely!Tomorrow I go to a very large slum called Kibira. This is the one you usually read about. The area is dirty without running water or proper sewers, so you can imagine the smell. God has given grace and it is a privilage to greet these people who welcome us with wonderful smiles. I can truly say that it is a joy to talk with them and hear them. I am amazed to see them express joy without complaining. How thankful they are for everything that we take for granted. They have so much to teach me! I am looking forward to tomorrow.
Yesterday we were in Kawarengare, a very poor slum in Nairobi. We talked with 22 people that expressed a desire to know Christ. They too will be followed up with materials to study. We also brought about 30 young boys, homeless, to the church to feed. These kids never bath and their clothes are filthy. The pastor's wife loves these boys ages 10 -25 and serves gladly. Most of them walk around sniffing glue all day. Several have come to the church on Sunday. The Pastor said they are behaved and have not been a problem. It is so hard for us to love the unlovely!Tomorrow I go to a very large slum called Kibira. This is the one you usually read about. The area is dirty without running water or proper sewers, so you can imagine the smell. God has given grace and it is a privilage to greet these people who welcome us with wonderful smiles. I can truly say that it is a joy to talk with them and hear them. I am amazed to see them express joy without complaining. How thankful they are for everything that we take for granted. They have so much to teach me! I am looking forward to tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
And Then There Was Children...
I thought I would tell you about our two little munchkins that live with us. Melia (6) and Kaylyn are two little precious girls who are living with us temporarily. Actually they are only staying with us for another week. Their parents are here awaiting the adoption of two little Kenyan children which may take as long as a year. Melia loves to color and she does it very well. She is a very good little reader and she loves to help. Her special task however is to open the compound gate. As soon as a car beeps to give notice they are waiting to come in, Melia runs out the door to do her job. I was thinking how much Lauren would love to play with her. Melia has no playmates so we are very thankful for the 8 little puppies who help that void. Melia is very sweet to her little sister. I think she actually likes this communal living.
Kailyn is a little bumpkin that I like to call my "little peanut." She was 2.5 lbs when she was born because she was 3 months premature. Her total hospital bill was $850,000. So she is a treasure. It has taken all our time here to win her over. Today for the first time she let me take care of her, hold her, and push her in the swing. She sure is a sweet little one.
Her parents are from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their parents are Graig and Sarah. Graig is a missions pastor at New Life church right on campus of the University of Michigan. They will be house sitting for some friends for a few months here in Nairobi.
The Bible says "Except we become like little children and change, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." It is wonderful to have them around us everyday to show how they live knowing they are loved. It doesn't matter if they cry or fuss or do something naughty. They still are loved. Let's live today knowing we are "the Beloved."
Kailyn is a little bumpkin that I like to call my "little peanut." She was 2.5 lbs when she was born because she was 3 months premature. Her total hospital bill was $850,000. So she is a treasure. It has taken all our time here to win her over. Today for the first time she let me take care of her, hold her, and push her in the swing. She sure is a sweet little one.
Her parents are from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their parents are Graig and Sarah. Graig is a missions pastor at New Life church right on campus of the University of Michigan. They will be house sitting for some friends for a few months here in Nairobi.
The Bible says "Except we become like little children and change, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." It is wonderful to have them around us everyday to show how they live knowing they are loved. It doesn't matter if they cry or fuss or do something naughty. They still are loved. Let's live today knowing we are "the Beloved."
Sunday, April 26, 2009
While Mimi maintains the home front and keeps us all here at the house on track, I am learning the ropes with the Paastors in Karwangage and Kibera. The operation has changed somewhat since we were here last year. We still work with the same Pastors at each location. This time Mimi does not go with me into the Slum areas but I travel with Rich a young man from Arizona who has been here since January and worked with Chris and Lindy, the couple we replaced. The discipeship material is much improved and is published by the Bible League. The seven lessons are printed in a soft cover booklet called "Steps to Victory". The second booklet contains 17 lessons and is intitled "Bearing Fruit". The booklets are well done and given to those who pray to receive Christ or express a desire to grow in their walk. Names and information are taken by the Pastors and when we return the following week we collect and grade those who have completed the lessons. After completion of both booklets we have a celebration time at the Church and present certificates and Bibles to the "graduates". Last week approx 30 Bibles were presented.
In addition to the street evangelism, Chris has started to reach out to some "street kids". These are boys (ages 10-25) wo hang out together in the filth of the slum and literally sniff glue all day and scronge for food. We have invited about 20 of them to come to the church once a week and give them a meal. We make them drop their glue or other drugs at the door and share with them before serving a meal. Chris is unsure how this progam should proceed but right now we are just trying to show Christ's love for them. These kids are homeless and usually orphaned. Please pray them.
I will try to share more later. God bless.
In addition to the street evangelism, Chris has started to reach out to some "street kids". These are boys (ages 10-25) wo hang out together in the filth of the slum and literally sniff glue all day and scronge for food. We have invited about 20 of them to come to the church once a week and give them a meal. We make them drop their glue or other drugs at the door and share with them before serving a meal. Chris is unsure how this progam should proceed but right now we are just trying to show Christ's love for them. These kids are homeless and usually orphaned. Please pray them.
I will try to share more later. God bless.
And Then There Were Puppies.
It wouldn't be right not to talk about the littlest things at our house...the puppies. Shaggy is just like her name suggests...actually Scraggly or Scrubby may be more appropriate name for our Momma. It seems she was left with a friend to find her a good home. Our lawnkeeper having a great love for animals asked if she/he (because they really didn't know what she was at this point) could live on the compound. So Shaggy became part of the family and lo and behold she kept growing. And consequently, she was found out to be feminine and in a family way. She now has given us 8 puppies to be adopted and find a home. I wonder if that missionary really knew what they left behind.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
And Then We Were Family
After an almost 24 hour trip, we wearily set foot at the Nairobi airport. How wonderful to be greeted by Matt with Zan and Saina. Nia is going to be the production, The King and I and had a rehearsal. Also Chris and Lindy Thompson were there to take us back to the mission house. After our quick goodbyes to Matt and the girls, with promises we would see them soon, we took off for the mission house. The familiar trip down the Kenyan roads, less the holes and neater surroundings showed that the election promises were coming to fruition. As we drove into our compound a wave of familiarity came over me. The nicely manicured driveway, beeping of the horn, and warm welcomes as the gate was open…all said "we’re home"again.
When we were here before, we stayed a little while with another couple to learn the ropes. From then on, we were left alone with our help. This time we were greeted with a family made up of Sarah and Graig Austin from Ann Arbor, Michigan and their two little girls Melia (6) and Kailyn (18 months). They are waiting to adopt two Kenyan babies. The whole process may require up to a year. Then there was Shawna and Richard. Richard works with Chris in the evangelistic outreach and ministry here. Shawna, his fiancee was teaching at N.Nairobi School. She is looking forward to leaving a week from today to go home to prepare for a June 20th wedding in Arizona. Of course Chris and Lindy were here. They are the ones we are replacing. Next there is Pepper, the cat, and Shaggy the dog. Yes, she is named that for a reason. Some missionaries had to leave her here when they went home. One night she slipped from grace and as a result produced 8 healthy little pups. Their 3 week old whelps are a reminder that they want to be included in the census. Communal life has really been fun. We are pretty much on our own for breakfast and lunch but in the evening we take turns. It will not be like this for long. Chris and Lindy left last night, Shawna leaves in a week, and our little family will be leaving June 6 to house sit for another couple. For the remainder of the time it will be just Richard, Coulson and I. Meanwhile, we are one big happy family.
Our time here so far has been pretty much back into the routine of our last time here excepting I do not go into the slums to evangelize. We decided it would be best if I just do my duties here at the home. Coulson has Rich to go along with him and I don’t have to go out in the heat for several hours each time. So they went to the one slum one day and another day they went to work with the street boys in another. I will probably tell you about that later. We enjoyed going to a Sunday service in Kibera because Chris was asked to preach.
We are getting ready to ride over to see Matt and Bridget and the girls. We are going for supper and then spend the night so we don’t have to drive at night. We will go over again on Sunday for Zan and Saina’s birthday party’s. We looked so forward to spending time with them. It has taken me 2 hours to write this much because I am trying to learn Coulson’s new computer so I will quit for now. Please tell your friends our blog address so they can be getting the news. Kwaheri for now.
When we were here before, we stayed a little while with another couple to learn the ropes. From then on, we were left alone with our help. This time we were greeted with a family made up of Sarah and Graig Austin from Ann Arbor, Michigan and their two little girls Melia (6) and Kailyn (18 months). They are waiting to adopt two Kenyan babies. The whole process may require up to a year. Then there was Shawna and Richard. Richard works with Chris in the evangelistic outreach and ministry here. Shawna, his fiancee was teaching at N.Nairobi School. She is looking forward to leaving a week from today to go home to prepare for a June 20th wedding in Arizona. Of course Chris and Lindy were here. They are the ones we are replacing. Next there is Pepper, the cat, and Shaggy the dog. Yes, she is named that for a reason. Some missionaries had to leave her here when they went home. One night she slipped from grace and as a result produced 8 healthy little pups. Their 3 week old whelps are a reminder that they want to be included in the census. Communal life has really been fun. We are pretty much on our own for breakfast and lunch but in the evening we take turns. It will not be like this for long. Chris and Lindy left last night, Shawna leaves in a week, and our little family will be leaving June 6 to house sit for another couple. For the remainder of the time it will be just Richard, Coulson and I. Meanwhile, we are one big happy family.
Our time here so far has been pretty much back into the routine of our last time here excepting I do not go into the slums to evangelize. We decided it would be best if I just do my duties here at the home. Coulson has Rich to go along with him and I don’t have to go out in the heat for several hours each time. So they went to the one slum one day and another day they went to work with the street boys in another. I will probably tell you about that later. We enjoyed going to a Sunday service in Kibera because Chris was asked to preach.
We are getting ready to ride over to see Matt and Bridget and the girls. We are going for supper and then spend the night so we don’t have to drive at night. We will go over again on Sunday for Zan and Saina’s birthday party’s. We looked so forward to spending time with them. It has taken me 2 hours to write this much because I am trying to learn Coulson’s new computer so I will quit for now. Please tell your friends our blog address so they can be getting the news. Kwaheri for now.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Arriving in Kenya
We arrived in Nairobi on Saturday and were met by Matt and 2 of our grandaughters. After a brief greeting we headed to our new home for the next seven weeks, The Livingstone house. I set up this blog so Mimi could share our journey with our friends and family.Please keep us in your prayers as you think of us. We will try to include photos here also. God bless.
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