From Kenya Calling to Kenya Departing

The call never changes wherever in the world the Lord places you. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the reason to be anywhere in the world. We had the privilege to share the truth of Jesus Christ in Kenya for 3 years and now the location changes that is all.

I Corinthians .  3:5-9 (Message)

…It's not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God's field in which we are working…

The last month in Kenya was fast and wild. Nothing like we had planned but as Jeremiah reminds us we are not in control of our lives.

“I know oh Lord that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”

 Jeremiah 10:23 (NIV)

We had the plan to exit at the end of May. But John was needed in England to care for his 87 year old Mum. John's sister who has cared for his mum has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He gets the call about this and is on a plane within the next 4 hours. Whew!

God prepares everything so left in Kenya without John I knew basically where everything was going and how to organize the closing of three years in Kenya. The car was sold just needed to be signed, sealed and delivered. We had not informed our people we worked with. This was the task that was left to do.

Kenyans are no strangers to sickness and going to care for family members so the reason for our quick departure was all too familiar for them. They wished us well and prayers for us to return to them. I told them we knew the Lord was leading us in a new direction but, we had no idea the departure would be so quick. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1
 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

The first group of John’s to get the news was the Monday afternoon ladies at Dunga Beach who sell fish. The day I went to tell them they looked so lovely sitting under the tree listening and singing. I got very tearful when telling them. The experience of talking to people about Jesus as they do their work and in the settings next to the lake is really hard to put into words. What a blessing and privilege to work like this.

Each group was a new experience and it took 2 weeks of telling them we were leaving Kenya. The last lesson taught was the Wedding feast and it was a perfect way of saying to them all if not before we would see them at the feast. The lesson was to encourage them to carry on with the spread of the gospel. It always amazed me how God leads to the perfect lesson at the perfect time.

Praise God for all the blessings of His perfect word. Praise God for the provision He has given us over our lives but especially over these 3 years in Kenya. We were always in awe of what we needed was provided. We know each person who supported us was prompted by the Holy Spirit. We thank you for being in tune with that still small voice. Each gift was just what we needed at the time.  Thank you for sharing in the ministry that we were able to be the feet but you were with us every step of the way.

Please continue to pray for the people in Kenya and for Hellen our gift from God interpreter to find another job. We also ask for your prayers for direction as we seek God's plans for the future which now seems to be in Maidstone Kent.

Happy Leap DAY!!!

With the "extra day" I decided to stay caught up on the blog as long as the internet lasts.

CREATIVE WAYS TO TRY TO GET THE INTERNET TO BE FASTER WHILE WE SKYPE.

FOR YOU HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN, NOT OF PERISHABLE SEED, BUT OF IMPERISHABLE, THROUGH THE LIVING AND ENDURING WORD OF GOD.

1 PETER 1:23

The HIV support group WICHMOKUE meet each week at Rose’s house in Manyatta B area. When we arrived last time she had set up a nursery class in her house for widows who cannot afford to take their children to school. If everyone in Kenya would help their surrounding community like this selfless act what a different place Kenya could be.

 

New Compound news:

So the main water tank had a leak. Temporary tanks were brought in to hold water for Mike’s house while repairs were being made. Here is the temporary tank leaving. Just thought it would be interesting to see the size and how it is just put on the back of a pickup.  But the new compound is slowly getting all the construction kinks out.

THE RAINS HAVE STARTED!! PRAISE GOD THE DUST IS ABOUT TO SETTLE DOWN !!Of course with the rain and if you are not home when it comes you could come home to this.

The gutters are not holding the water and the sliding door guides acted as a gutter. No where else to go but inside. John has been Mr Fix it and drilled drain holes in the sliding door guides Last night towels took care of it. But it is worth it to have rain.

 We hope you enjoy the snippits of life here in Kisumu Kenya. Continue to pray for the word of God to reach everyone who hears it and that they are committed to continue to spread the

 Gospel of Jesus.

AS YOU GO PREACH THIS MESSAGE;

"THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR"

MATTHEW 10:7

JANUARY AND ALREADY FEBRUARY 2012

January is a slow start for the HIV Support Groups. The first week everyone is looking for school fees and returning from the rural area. So until the children are back in school the groups do not begin to meet. Even now a few groups have not started back or as they put it have not organized.

So we took an overnight trip to Lake Nakuru the first week of January. It is about a 3 hour drive. Sometimes it is an easy drive and well sometimes it is not as it is on most roadways in Kenya.  So I thought I would give you a bit of what you see along the roads. Driving is one the biggest challenges to living in Kenya as far as the faith it takes each time you get in your car or walk anywhere.

So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

ROADWORKS AND ROAD SCENES

MATTRESSES

A mattress on the way to boarding school is a common sight at this time of year.

Along steep highways it is common for trucks to gain speed and then go off the road or just taking a curve at excessive speed and not having breaks.

 The fine art of display: To think we go to university to learn how to display. Bananas for sale.

Diversion: If you get any warning of what is ahead it is just as you approach!!! Also once a road is determined to need to be redone it is torn out and you are on dirt. So the road to Nairobi is being redone and it is said the plan is for a 4 lane road all the way. So there are large sections of just dirt at the present time.   Sometimes a water truck comes along to cut down on the dust but at this time of year with no rain it is dry almost as fast as it hits the ground.

Sugar cane trucks and tractors bring sugar cane to the factory.

Here is a very common scene of the women carrying water. This is one of those moments when you think what do I have to complain about if I have to filter my water. Really I do not have to carry it except from the sink to the filter. Really as westerners we are so spoiled and we do not even know it.

 LAKE NAKURU:

LAKE NAKURU

We took our friend Denise as she is leaving Kenya soon and had never been to Nakuru. Our objective was Rhino because Denise had yet to see any in Africa. God delivered Rhino and More Rhino!!! It was once again amazing to see nature in action.

This is a great picture of nature on alert as the mama Zebra catches sight of hyenas checking out her baby. The hyenas finally just gave up and walked away as the group of Zebra all stood guard over the young.

We must have taken 100 pictures but we will only share 2 of the rhino. This time we did all our own safari driving which John really enjoys and it was a wonderful relaxing trip to start the new year.

 

The heavens are Yours, and Yours also the earth;

 You founded the world and all that is in it. Psalm 89:11

 

MOVING to a new compound:

February brought that move that we have been telling you about for months. The compound is almost finished. Most issues were resolved the first few days we were here. It is a lovely apartment. We are enjoying the patio where we can eat breakfast and dinner outside.

Many funny things happen in a move anywhere but I think Kenya has some great stories. Our washing machine outlet was not connected to power. At least this is what the electricians thought. We had a switch with a light  I kept asking what is this for? No one seemed to know. They kept telling me they were looking for power and walked around trying to figure which wall to chisel out and connect the power. I was a bit concerned. After this adventure for a couple of hours of head scratching they showed me the switch with the light and said all you need to do is turn this one on when you want to use the machine. Yep that was the one and all is well. Who knew? No chiseling required.

The water in the sink kept coming up in the sink and we discovered the waste water pipe was placed where the water had to travel up to drain. John had a discussion with the Plummer that water does not travel up and we would continue to have leaks and problems until they lowered the drain pipe. Well after they arrived with plumbers tape and calk gun John said no this will not work. Then they said they would be back next week. Our landlord Mike had a serious discussion and they returned that day and our water now drains down imagine just like it is suppose to.

Yes everything made it and nothing was broken.

We are still sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere we go. It is why we are here.

Pray for the Word of God to penetrate the hearts of those we speak to.

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “ and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

Jeremiah 23:29

DECEMBER 2011

December 2011 came and went in a flash. Most of our groups had finished meeting by Dec 20 so we have had some nice relaxing time.  Thursday afternoon is always the Ladies Missionary Bible Study and we had a white elephant gift exchange for our Christmas gathering  which was a fun afternoon. 

Dhi Adhia an HIV Support group weaves baskets and they gave me one for Christmas.

I had ordered several from them this past year and so it was a treat to get one as a gift.

 If you are in Kenya you should check out their baskets.

DHI ADHIA SUPPORT GROUP IN NYALLENDA



THIS IS FAITH AND GLORIA TWINS BORN IN 2011 TO A MEMBER OF DHI ADHIA.



The Missionary Community had a Christmas Gathering on Christmas afternoon. We had a Pot luck meal together. It was a nice time of fellowship.

The week between Christmas and New Years I had a little girls tea party. The HIV support group SAFFA made pink hats for me to give as a party favor.(Hats wroven out of plastic bags) It was a priceless afternoon with the girls and their moms. There were 6 girls in attendance.

The new compound is still under construction. Below is a picture of one of the water storage tanks being built. This hole was dug by hand.  They came upon some large rock that just would not move so the tank is a bit smaller than original plan. There are more of these behind the other units. Tanks are a must as the Kisumu water goes off and on with no apparent reason. These tanks will also catch rain water.

New Years found us peacefully at home. This week we have been preparing for the start of work on Monday.

 Continue to pray for the gospel to be heard and received.

LET US FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH, WHO FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, SCORING ITS SHAME, AND SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD.

HEBREWS 12:2

  Happy New Year from a beautiful sunset at Lake Victoria!

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Psalm 19:1

November and it is still raining in Kisumu!

Hillside Staff Visits Kenya

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11(NIV)

Three staff members from Hillside Christian arrived this month is Kisumu. They landed at 8:10 AM on a Wednesday morning and we had them at a HIV Support Group by 10AM.  Arriving for the first time in Africa were two staff members from Hillside Christian Church. Mark and Trisha from the Missions Ministry over all the campuses of Hillside. Karen who has been with us from the beginning on this journey is on staff at the South Campus came for her fourth visit to Kenya. 

GOODNEWS GROUP IN MANYATTA SINGING

MANYATTA "B" WIDOWS

EVEREST HIV SUPPORT GROUP IN NYALLENDA

MAMA JOYCE'S GROUP AT DUNGA BEACH

They spent 3 days with us in Kisumu seeing various groups and schools we work with in the area. We also were able to take them to the Disability School where Steven is.

DUNGA BEACH FISHERMAN AND LADIES SELLING FISH

STEVEN

KISUMU SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR IN NYALLENDA

Next we drove to Eldoret for 3 days there viewing the work that the South Campus has participated in over the last couple of years. We saw new church construction, worshipped at Kipkaren, met with leaders, and ran potato race relays with the kids.

CHURCH UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Then on to the Maasai Mara. God really did give us a show with His creation on this trip. We also had some great time to connect with friends.

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

The creator of the ends of the earth….. Isaiah 40:28

Thanksgiving:

Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.

 Sing to Him, Sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.

1 Chronicles 16: 8-9

We celebrated Thanksgiving international style with about 60 people and had a wonderful afternoon and even had turkey.

Other Pictures around Kisumu in November:

If you need to balance your ladder on steps here is a helpful hint. No we haven't moved to the new compound still under construction.

These men are harvesting sand from the river a shovel full at a time.

WICHMOKUE GROUP HAS A FARM. These ladies are harvesting maze by hand.

OCTOBER'S BLOG

How quickly one falls back into the routine of one’s life, it’s a blessing from God that He allows us to shift from one life to another with the minimum of fuss and bother J.We miss our family and friends, but is made bearable with His grace. After a shaky start baby Xan our second grandchild after Ben is doing so much better, thanks for all of your letters of concern and prayers. Thanks so very much.

It’s hot and humid and we seem to be in the Long Rains which shouldn’t be happening until February/March,,,,,,,, some people are flooded and some homes have fallen in and groups are affected and life goes on .

VIEW FROM RINGROAD IN KISUMU UP INTO THE HILLS

We had to take a picture of this man amongst the rocks,,,,,, his name is Peter and he has been excavating these rocks from the ground for months. They will be used for building materials. His only tools consist of a hammer a chisel and a crowbar,,,,,,,can you imagine getting up every day to do this?

WHERE A HOUSE ONCE STOOD IN MANYATTA B AREA

1 Timothy  6:6-8

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

CHILDREN PLAYING ON THE FOUNDATION OF THEIR SCHOOL.THEY HAVE BUILT AN IRON SHEET BUILDING TO MEET IN UNTIL THEY CAN REBUILD THE SCHOOL. WE TEACH A BIBLE STORY HERE TWICE A MONTH WHEN WE MEET WITH A SUPPORT GROUP.

We are very excited about the arrival of our visitors from our home church in Amarillo just seven days away now. Karen together with Mark Zimmerman and Trisha Hemelstrand will be with us and we can’t wait!!! J

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for the people who have lost their homes in all the rains.

Pray that through these difficult times they will see Jesus and turn to Him.

Please pray for the safe travels of our friends from USA to Kenya Nov 7-20.

Pray for Kenya as it prepares for the elections next year.



June, July, August, September 2011

Dunga Beach on Lake Victoria

We have now been back in Kenya just over a week and getting back into our stride with all things Kenyan.

All is well.

Whilst in America someone shared a verse from 1Thessalonians 2:4 reminding us that we are nothing more than messengers of the Good News and that our purpose is to please God and not man,,,,,,we so easily mix these two up and become distracted from our purpose . Thanks to that person and everyone else who made us welcome with their kindnesses and generosity. We loved being with you  catching up with you and having a laugh with you all our friends and family.  Thank you!!!

Picture of one of the groups we shared with and showed pictures of the work in Kenya.

Special Family Moments in USA

During our time in England we were blessed with a second grandchild, a boy called Xan, so now Ben has a baby brother to take care of and to fit into his busy schedule. All the family are doing well, thank God.

Proud Grandad

 For five weeks we attended a little church in the village where we stayed and enjoyed a great welcome from them, we shared on our last Sunday and Ben stood up with us.  Pretty cool !

Mortonhampstead Community Church you were a blessing to us.