Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Mob by John
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“ I’ve got some catching up to do”,,,,,,,,,,but I’m going to work backwards
I know that Connie has sent out about Tuesday,but that only went up to lunchtime,,,,,before I tell you what happened next you must understand that when connie and I write about the day, it is simply reporting events and not to build ourselves up,OK?,,,so let me begin.
Well I was driving down ringroad the road that divides the richest part of town from the poorest part of town when I saw a crowd of about 75 to 100 people gathered on the road. I started to slow thinking it was an accident but as the crowd parted to let me through I saw two men beating a man on the ground with heavy sticks,,,,,I jumped out of my car and pushed my way to them and asked them what was going and to stop the beating as the mob was urging them on,,,,,,they stopped when they saw me, I guess they were surprised to see a mazungu in the middle of all this,,,,,they said the man on the ground was a thief and I said he had been punished enough,,,,his head was reduced to a pulp and blood was everywhere, he looked as if one of his arms were broken maybe both because he no longer tried to shield himself from the blows,,,,,,it was unbelievable. As I was talking to one of the beaters the other cracked his stick on the mans head and the sound was sickening,,,,,,,I said that he was a thief but they would be murderers if this went any further,,,,,a women in the crowd shouted at me to leave and mind my own business in her mother tongue,or at least that is the closest translation haha,,,,,,I went to the man on the ground and helped him up and walked him to my car and two other men came to my aid . I said that I was taking him to the police and no one barred my way,,,,,,I couldn’t believe itThen someone pointed out a man to me who was on his cell phone,,,,,he came over to say that it was his house that the man with two others had tried to break into ,,,the others had got away,,,,,he was calling the police to come but the police said they wouldn’t so he got into my car with the alleged thief and the two men who helped me and we started to drive to the police station. Then a police car happened to come by and slowed down when they saw the crowd,,,,,they took the man from us and we followed on , when we got to the station I dropped my people off and then I left.
.I was on my way to the hospital when this broke loose and so I carried on and as I drove and as I got nearer to my destination I was wondering if this had really happened:)
Let me go back to last Thursday,,,,,,the beginning of the rains,,,,,,We were on our way to Ognadi up in the foothills,,,,,,connie and george and I were taking a bible study into the hills which is an adventure in itself,,,,,,As we arrive there are two young ladies who want to be baptized so a crowd of fifteen to twenty go hiking down to the river,,,,,,I am dressed in a brightly coloured wrap a tee shirt and my inevitable flipflops(see the pictures) The river is very fast flowing which on the one hand is tricky but at least there are no crocs,,,,,Im baptizing these girls but they hold themselves rigid as the water is a little chilly and it is almost impossible to submerge them and keep my balance,,,,,,I don’t think John thrr Baptist had this much trouble
Then we get back to the house and we get to bless two beautiful babies,,,,well I’m sure they were beautiful if you could ever get to see them,,,,,the mothers cover them up in a ton of blankets
Everybody squeezes into this house which is filling up with smoke from someone cooking in the back and I launch into the book of Jonah and asking the question, When Gods asks us to do something , do we run away like Jonah or do we roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty?????,,,,,,,and then the rains hit!!!!!!its coming down in buckets and as it hits the metal roof the noise is deafening,,,,,,,I scream out my message and George screams out the translation our throats are burning and our eyes are running and every one is looking on as if this is normal. You cannot believe this rain it goes on harder and longer than anything I have experienced. Our study lasts for at least an hour and only as we come to an end does the rain come to an end
At the end of this we are offered Mandazi which just like a doughnut and chia and we cannot leave these things alone so we excuse ourselves before we start looking like one
We jump in our car and head for home and as is usual some one wants a ride so we have this extra man We are coming down the hills and you can imagine the mud,,,,we are slipping and sliding until we come upon a tractor and trailor that has jackknifed across the track blocking our way,,,,,,the kids are everywhere taking sugar cane from the trailor with a wild man with a stick chasing them and cursing them.. Another tractor has come to the rescue only to end up stuck as well and then another tractor comes,,,,,but it is a three wheeler and not much use to man or beast,,,,,,,we have sat here an hour hoping that at some point we would get by and then some one comes by saying there is another way home to which the man in the back chirps up that he knows the way,,,,,,whats the matter with these people,,,,,,,,they never offer information
So now I am reversing back up the track until there is a place to turn and when we find a place its steep sticky with a ditch,,,,we get across and turn the car around and as we try to get back on the track the ground gives way with all the rain and my offside front goes down the into the ditch and my nearside rear is off the ground by 12 inches ,,this is unbelievable and our camera has just lost its power,,,,,so no pictures, sorry, but here is the best bit three men lift up our car and put it on secure ground and nobody breaks a sweat,,,,says me in the driving seat
There a moral to this story,,,,,,,as we were planning to come to Kenya I was thinking we would be running around in a Landcruiser no less and to be honest I was a little disappointed to find that all we could afford was a Toyota rav4,,,are you kidding me but now I am here to tell you that we love ourRAV4,,,,I cannot believe what this thing is capable of and when it gets stuck you can just lift it out,,,,,,,you couldn’t do that with a Landcruiser!!!!!!!
Sept 22, 2009
September 22, 2009 Tuesday
Life is full of many surprises some good some sad. Each week we have plans for our work but each week plans change as life and death change. It would be the same in the USA but seems here it happens so frequently. We are made aware of how precious each day is and to live it for the kingdom.
As we walked to work today ready to start a new week we passed one of the teacher’s compounds on our way. Eunice was there and not at work. We knew immediately that something was wrong. Her brother had died. He leaves 2 young children and a wife.
Eunice just lost her sister several weeks ago and her father a few months before that.
Eunice is the provider for this family that all depend on her. She is a single mom herself.
Please pray for her at this time because her heart is grieved and her resources are low.
We went inside to pray with the family and left heavy hearted for her.
As we arrived at school we learn of a 3 month old baby that died last night. They need to bury the child and want us to go with George and Daniel. This young father is there seeking someone to come and help with a service. The young father has been attending the church at Ring Road.
We walk to his house and see the mother and the tiny little body lying in the floor on blankets covered up. The shock on the young couples faces and grief is overwhelming.
John prays and reads scripture. We sing a hymn and then they uncover this beautiful baby for us to see. John reaches down and touches the baby and just sits and prays.
The father then walks us to his family compound and shows us the place to bury the child. Everyone begins to dig and then when the grave is deep enough we walk back to the house. A little wooden box is there and they place blankets in it and pick up the baby and place her in it. Every one begins to cry as the box is hammered shut. I know it must be more than the mother can bear as she calls out her child’s name as we walk back to the graveside. The baby hasn’t even been dead 24 hours and now she must bury it. There is no money for a funeral. John and George read scripture and pray again at the grave and then the little box is lowered and buried.
We go to the father’s mother’s home and pray again. They bring us soft drinks as appreciation so we must stay and drink them. The little mother just sits and cries quietly.
We plan to go and check on them again. Please pray for David and Violet as they learn to live without this baby girl their firstborn.
Each day brings blessings from God as we look where He wants to place us. The appreciation for the lives we have been given and the opportunity to give back.
Today is Emily’s birthday and she is 27 and all morning with that family I could not help but think how blessed I am to have raised my children to be adults and still get to enjoy them. They are truly gifts from God.
Sept. 20-21, 2009
September 20 and 21, 2009
Sunday George has us on the road again to visit another church. This one is called Yala.
This was their last Sunday in their place of worship because the government needs the whole building now. So we took a picture and they will begin their search for a new place to meet.
John preached as they usually want the guests to speak and he is getting good at going for an hour or more. He said only one person went to sleep and I said that was your wife. We had a good laugh on that one. People will sit as long as you will talk. Then they serve you lunch as appreciation and asked if there was more teaching. We said no more today.
We arrive home around 4:00 pm. Sundays are long days when we travel. It seems of late we are on the road more than we are here in Kisumu. This week we will go out about two and a half hour drive.
Prayer for rain is working here. We have had some amazing rains. The predictions are that October will be even wetter. When it rains hard the electricity and water go out.
It can be very exciting and dark!!!
Monday night we had a storm like we haven’t seen here before and it uprooted a huge tree in our compound. Missed our power lines by a few feet we couldn’t believe it because the rain and wind were so loud we didn’t even know it had fallen until morning.
We have leaks in our roof and when it rains we get out the buckets. But as we got our buckets in place we couldn’t help but think of all that have houses falling down and holes in their roofs. We are so fortunate.
Weather in Kenya is changing just like we talk about in the states. People say this weather is not the usual for this time of year so it will be interesting to see what happens.
Sunday George has us on the road again to visit another church. This one is called Yala.
This was their last Sunday in their place of worship because the government needs the whole building now. So we took a picture and they will begin their search for a new place to meet.
John preached as they usually want the guests to speak and he is getting good at going for an hour or more. He said only one person went to sleep and I said that was your wife. We had a good laugh on that one. People will sit as long as you will talk. Then they serve you lunch as appreciation and asked if there was more teaching. We said no more today.
We arrive home around 4:00 pm. Sundays are long days when we travel. It seems of late we are on the road more than we are here in Kisumu. This week we will go out about two and a half hour drive.
Prayer for rain is working here. We have had some amazing rains. The predictions are that October will be even wetter. When it rains hard the electricity and water go out.
It can be very exciting and dark!!!
Monday night we had a storm like we haven’t seen here before and it uprooted a huge tree in our compound. Missed our power lines by a few feet we couldn’t believe it because the rain and wind were so loud we didn’t even know it had fallen until morning.
We have leaks in our roof and when it rains we get out the buckets. But as we got our buckets in place we couldn’t help but think of all that have houses falling down and holes in their roofs. We are so fortunate.
Weather in Kenya is changing just like we talk about in the states. People say this weather is not the usual for this time of year so it will be interesting to see what happens.
MORE ON SEPTEMBER 19
Also very important day at Ring Road School was Grades 1-4 got new sports day uniforms. I mean brand new clothes!!! Very exciting for the children as you can see by there faces.
AND A FEW VERY LUCKY ONES GOT “NEW” SHOES AND SOCKS
GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT Ring Road as you can see. Thanks to all who sponsor children and who sponsor us here in Kenya. As you can see the needs are great and we serve a God who is the provider of all we need.
September 19, 2009
Kitchen staff and those who helped with tea and lunch for the ladies and TEA TIME.
September 19, 2009
The second monthly Ladies Bible Study at Ring Road. We are growing and very excited.
Last month the focus was on married women and this month on single and widows.
The main point always being live for Christ and be an example in all you do.
In 2010 we will move the Ladies Bible Study to surrounding communities so that all can come and experience it and share in the preparations. Grace, Grace, Mary and Steven have to prepare the food for the school as well as the ladies and sometimes it would be nice for them to be the visitors.
We had more than 50 women this time which we feel very blessed to have such a good attendance.
Sept 11-13, 2009
LE WEEKEND,,,,,,,,that’s French for the weekend
Friday took us to Dunga Beach,,,we try to spend every Friday morning there and people are getting to know that a bible study will happen connie with the women and me with the men and assisted by our good friends who interpret for us when needed
Dunga is a fishing village on the lake and just for your information there is no beach that’s too bad.
We choose a book from the bible and apply it to our peoples lives,,,,,,some people sit there and drink in every word while others fall asleep,,,,we try to get participation going and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t
A girl named Evelyn came to speak to us about her brother Jolyon,,,,,,he’s 19 yrs old and bed ridden,,,,,,,,a year ago he broke his leg and was admitted to hospital,,,a cast was applied to his leg and later removed when it was thought ready,,,,,,apparently his break had not healed and there is no money for further treatment
So he lays there all day every day,,,,his leg is swollen and he is in pain sometimes he get to eat and at other times he doesn’t
An old lady we had visited some weeks ago had died the night before ,,,,,her house was “around the corner”, and literally was around the corner,,,,,,usually when people tell you this the house is miles away
The lady was in Dunga support group and she had HIVAids,,,,,,,we went to commiserate with her family to find the lady was on the floor with a sheet pulled over her and a young girl was keeping watch,,,,,but didn’t know anything of the arrangements,,,,,,,,after praying we started to leave and bumped into her grandaughter,,,,,,,when asked about the arrangements she told us there was no money or land that belonged to the lady where she could be buried,,,,,,,,,to be ctd
Today is Saturday and the afternoon finds us at the district hospital, we were supposed to be visiting someone from ring road church but he wasn’t to be found,,,,,,,so while we were there we thought we would stay and pray,,,,,,,,,,
This is where we begin to cry,,,,,,,,,its always crowded but today instead of two sharing a bed there were patients on the floor,,,,,,one man was more dead than alive he was covered in vomit and faeces with flies all over him,,,,,,he was in a coma and his eyes were protruding from their sockets,,,,his lips were pulled back from his teeth and I could get no reaction from him,,,,,,,his body was emaciated and contorted and all that I could do was pray that he would die,,,,,,I lay my hands upon him and prayed to our merciful God to release him from his suffering
He was a prisoner and it seems that prisoners are not treated and so it begs the question why a hospital admission other than they are not wanted in the prison system,,,,,,there was another man beside him on the floor handcuffed to a bed leg also unconscious and there were ten other prisoners besides,
There are two wards full of men two to a bed all suffering,,,,some were hot to the touch and others cold and clammy,,,,,,some were alert but many were out of it ,,,by far the majority were young men with wives who could do nothing for their men,,,,,we started praying at one end of the wards and worked our way around until everyone had a received a prayer,,,,,,,,and everyone was so gratefull,,,,,,,it broke our hearts to see so much pain and anguish and yet we were able to leave,,,,,,,, and they couldn’t
We came home and fixed something to eat and they couldn’t, we could get on with our lives,,,,,,,, and they couldn't
Highlights of the week Purple Heart awarded to missionary wounded in action
On Wednesday we were on visitation,,,,,that is visiting the sick in the slums,,,,,,some houses in the slums are squeezed on top of each other and building codes are only vague concepts, of the past,,,,,as you walk through the neighbor hoods the children are forever calling out mazunga,mazunga,,,,,how are you??? At this Connie turned around to wave and call back and as she turned back to go the way she was heading she ran into the corner of a metal roof, BANG!!!!! The crash was enormous and reverberated throughout the district, everyone was frozen still even the bird’s stopped singing, the sudden silence was uncanny.
Connie was already feeling unwell and this just about took her out,,,, she now has a circular scar on her forhead,,,,, luckily her bangs cover up the worst of it,,,,,,,,
As part of johns immersion into the culture as well as his yearning to become anonymous,,,,,,he shaved his head,,,,,, connie just laughed,,,,,,, she said I had longer hairs growing out of my ears than were on my head, it was a bit of a shock but now many days later I think I like it,,,,,,,Grace who works in the kitchen at ring road says I look younger, she is currently my favorite at the moment
Water conservation,,,,,,,,we can have a full body shower standing in a regular bowl and not overflow it in the process then we take the bowl of water and use it to flush the toilet and we can get two wee’s for the one bowl,,,,how good is that?:)
We still have water issues so it makes you very careful
We are gradually furnishing the house and all of it is wicker,,,,,totally sustainable and locally made,,,,,,one chair = 500 ksh = $6,,,,,,,,perfect!
We have a mattress of memory foam,,,,,,,you lay in it over night and it leaves a hole that stays all the next day and is still there when you go back to bed,,,,,,,,great
Its nearly 8; 30 so its time to go to bed, God bless you all
With much love,,,,,,,connie and john
LE WEEKEND,,,,,,,,that’s French for the weekend
Friday took us to Dunga Beach,,,we try to spend every Friday morning there and people are getting to know that a bible study will happen connie with the women and me with the men and assisted by our good friends who interpret for us when needed
Dunga is a fishing village on the lake and just for your information there is no beach that’s too bad.
We choose a book from the bible and apply it to our peoples lives,,,,,,some people sit there and drink in every word while others fall asleep,,,,we try to get participation going and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t
A girl named Evelyn came to speak to us about her brother Jolyon,,,,,,he’s 19 yrs old and bed ridden,,,,,,,,a year ago he broke his leg and was admitted to hospital,,,a cast was applied to his leg and later removed when it was thought ready,,,,,,apparently his break had not healed and there is no money for further treatment
So he lays there all day every day,,,,his leg is swollen and he is in pain sometimes he get to eat and at other times he doesn’t
An old lady we had visited some weeks ago had died the night before ,,,,,her house was “around the corner”, and literally was around the corner,,,,,,usually when people tell you this the house is miles away
The lady was in Dunga support group and she had HIVAids,,,,,,,we went to commiserate with her family to find the lady was on the floor with a sheet pulled over her and a young girl was keeping watch,,,,,but didn’t know anything of the arrangements,,,,,,,,after praying we started to leave and bumped into her grandaughter,,,,,,,when asked about the arrangements she told us there was no money or land that belonged to the lady where she could be buried,,,,,,,,,to be ctd
Today is Saturday and the afternoon finds us at the district hospital, we were supposed to be visiting someone from ring road church but he wasn’t to be found,,,,,,,so while we were there we thought we would stay and pray,,,,,,,,,,
This is where we begin to cry,,,,,,,,,its always crowded but today instead of two sharing a bed there were patients on the floor,,,,,,one man was more dead than alive he was covered in vomit and faeces with flies all over him,,,,,,he was in a coma and his eyes were protruding from their sockets,,,,his lips were pulled back from his teeth and I could get no reaction from him,,,,,,,his body was emaciated and contorted and all that I could do was pray that he would die,,,,,,I lay my hands upon him and prayed to our merciful God to release him from his suffering
He was a prisoner and it seems that prisoners are not treated and so it begs the question why a hospital admission other than they are not wanted in the prison system,,,,,,there was another man beside him on the floor handcuffed to a bed leg also unconscious and there were ten other prisoners besides,
There are two wards full of men two to a bed all suffering,,,,some were hot to the touch and others cold and clammy,,,,,,some were alert but many were out of it ,,,by far the majority were young men with wives who could do nothing for their men,,,,,we started praying at one end of the wards and worked our way around until everyone had a received a prayer,,,,,,,,and everyone was so gratefull,,,,,,,it broke our hearts to see so much pain and anguish and yet we were able to leave,,,,,,,, and they couldn’t
We came home and fixed something to eat and they couldn’t, we could get on with our lives,,,,,,,, and they couldn't
Highlights of the week Purple Heart awarded to missionary wounded in action
On Wednesday we were on visitation,,,,,that is visiting the sick in the slums,,,,,,some houses in the slums are squeezed on top of each other and building codes are only vague concepts, of the past,,,,,as you walk through the neighbor hoods the children are forever calling out mazunga,mazunga,,,,,how are you??? At this Connie turned around to wave and call back and as she turned back to go the way she was heading she ran into the corner of a metal roof, BANG!!!!! The crash was enormous and reverberated throughout the district, everyone was frozen still even the bird’s stopped singing, the sudden silence was uncanny.
Connie was already feeling unwell and this just about took her out,,,, she now has a circular scar on her forhead,,,,, luckily her bangs cover up the worst of it,,,,,,,,
As part of johns immersion into the culture as well as his yearning to become anonymous,,,,,,he shaved his head,,,,,, connie just laughed,,,,,,, she said I had longer hairs growing out of my ears than were on my head, it was a bit of a shock but now many days later I think I like it,,,,,,,Grace who works in the kitchen at ring road says I look younger, she is currently my favorite at the moment
Water conservation,,,,,,,,we can have a full body shower standing in a regular bowl and not overflow it in the process then we take the bowl of water and use it to flush the toilet and we can get two wee’s for the one bowl,,,,how good is that?:)
We still have water issues so it makes you very careful
We are gradually furnishing the house and all of it is wicker,,,,,totally sustainable and locally made,,,,,,one chair = 500 ksh = $6,,,,,,,,perfect!
We have a mattress of memory foam,,,,,,,you lay in it over night and it leaves a hole that stays all the next day and is still there when you go back to bed,,,,,,,,great
Its nearly 8; 30 so its time to go to bed, God bless you all
With much love,,,,,,,connie and john
Weekend at Alara August 14-16, 2009
Weekend at Alara August 14-16, 2009
Friday August 14 was arrival day at the Alara Conference. We did not go this day as it was for checking in and registration.
Alara is Jared’s home village and it is about a 30-45 minute drive from Kisumu. At Alara is the Alara Church of Christ. The building also used for school. The first time we visited Alara the second building for school was still just framed. Today the mud walls are completed. The church is where the women slept and the other building is where the men slept. The youth slept in tents provided by the boy scouts. Temporary showers were set up with the reed mats as walls. A new water tank has been set up by Mama Florence’s house. A second clean water tank was brought in for the weekend. It will be moved to the location of Jared’s new house.
Tent tops were set up for the general meetings and the men met outside. The ladies met inside the church. We filled it up.
Saturday morning we got up early to make our way to the conference when we discovered our front tire was loosing its tread. We mad a call to Jared to let him know we were running late because we needed to replace a tire. So the adventure starts we got directions from a security guard at Nakumatt to a place to purchase a tire. We start out and John did know the area. Then Jared called back and said stay where you are I am sending someone to you. We pulled over and immediately about 6-8 Africans surrounded the car all pointing to our tire. We were motioning to them we knew and were waiting of course all of them wanted to fix it. We sat there with the car off and the windows up waiting for a familiar face. Two young men arrived and came to the car window that looked like they knew us.
We let the window down asking who sent them and when they said Jared we let them in the car. They showed us a tire place which was just about a block away and the new tire was purchased. We think this could be a regular activity given the roads we are on. God always supplies what we need. SO OFF WE GO TO ALARA
.
When we arrive they are waiting for us. No one is too bothered by the late arrival.
The ladies study starts and Tom interprets for me. The theme of the weekend is being a faithful Christian. I use the book of James and also the parable if the talents. It took two hours and not too many fell asleep. I am still getting use to the interpreter teaching time.
The ladies responded with a bit of prompting and so it was a good time. God is always faithful to lead the studies.
John hit the men hard with issues on women and how to treat them. I will let him write his own version of that.
After teaching times lunch was served and we thought so many were there that we might make an escape from lunch, but oh no they had prepared a special lunch just for us chicken (kuku) and greens. Not only that they expected us to eat in the house. John said he couldn’t do it after all he had taught but Eunice insisted. So we went in to eat and several joined us inside. The ugali was brown and they said sweet. It wasn’t sweet I can tell you that. Eunice insisted I taste it. I did.
The chicken was as usual.
After lunch the next set of teachings started. John had questions and answers in his group. I got to sit and listen as Grace and Rose taught. These ladies are officers in the Women’s group from all the churches.
We took pictures that Jared requested and then drove home.
Sunday: August 16
We are off early again but not too early we have been told breakfast was at 8:30 and services begin at 9. So we want to arrive at 9 or after. George called and they needed communion cups so we had to meet up with his children to get the cups. (Anyone that visits us please bring communion cups with you they reuse them far longer than they should) This is Africa and when we arrive after 9 they are taking breakfast bread and peanuts with tea. We are able to say we have eaten. The men are in a meeting and the ladies and just sitting. It was after 10 before it all started and then they gave each speaker a time limit. John stayed in his very well. We think I will start putting on sunglasses to let him know when to stop.
The Conference seemed to be a success for those attending and they felt recharged. There were about 150 people there. Rice and beans were served for lunch and everyone went home. At least 50 people requested we take them home. In the end Dino had us take 3 youth home from Ring road and the girls were thrilled to be in the car. I asked them, “How did you get chosen to ride in the car?” They said they didn’t know. They ask us if they were the first students to ride in our car. I said yes and they beamed with delight.
We now have an idea what a conference will be like in Kenya. The people love to go to these events. We have decided it is a break from the monotony of life. Next year they are planning a nation wide conference in June for women at Ring Road!
Pray for this event that funding will be provided and mattresses for the ladies to sleep on in the classrooms when they arrive. Pray for the speakers to be prepared with truth.
Pray also that those we teach learn to apply the word not just believe the word.
Pray we are able to communicate this message in all our teaching.
Friday August 14 was arrival day at the Alara Conference. We did not go this day as it was for checking in and registration.
Alara is Jared’s home village and it is about a 30-45 minute drive from Kisumu. At Alara is the Alara Church of Christ. The building also used for school. The first time we visited Alara the second building for school was still just framed. Today the mud walls are completed. The church is where the women slept and the other building is where the men slept. The youth slept in tents provided by the boy scouts. Temporary showers were set up with the reed mats as walls. A new water tank has been set up by Mama Florence’s house. A second clean water tank was brought in for the weekend. It will be moved to the location of Jared’s new house.
Tent tops were set up for the general meetings and the men met outside. The ladies met inside the church. We filled it up.
Saturday morning we got up early to make our way to the conference when we discovered our front tire was loosing its tread. We mad a call to Jared to let him know we were running late because we needed to replace a tire. So the adventure starts we got directions from a security guard at Nakumatt to a place to purchase a tire. We start out and John did know the area. Then Jared called back and said stay where you are I am sending someone to you. We pulled over and immediately about 6-8 Africans surrounded the car all pointing to our tire. We were motioning to them we knew and were waiting of course all of them wanted to fix it. We sat there with the car off and the windows up waiting for a familiar face. Two young men arrived and came to the car window that looked like they knew us.
We let the window down asking who sent them and when they said Jared we let them in the car. They showed us a tire place which was just about a block away and the new tire was purchased. We think this could be a regular activity given the roads we are on. God always supplies what we need. SO OFF WE GO TO ALARA
.
When we arrive they are waiting for us. No one is too bothered by the late arrival.
The ladies study starts and Tom interprets for me. The theme of the weekend is being a faithful Christian. I use the book of James and also the parable if the talents. It took two hours and not too many fell asleep. I am still getting use to the interpreter teaching time.
The ladies responded with a bit of prompting and so it was a good time. God is always faithful to lead the studies.
John hit the men hard with issues on women and how to treat them. I will let him write his own version of that.
After teaching times lunch was served and we thought so many were there that we might make an escape from lunch, but oh no they had prepared a special lunch just for us chicken (kuku) and greens. Not only that they expected us to eat in the house. John said he couldn’t do it after all he had taught but Eunice insisted. So we went in to eat and several joined us inside. The ugali was brown and they said sweet. It wasn’t sweet I can tell you that. Eunice insisted I taste it. I did.
The chicken was as usual.
After lunch the next set of teachings started. John had questions and answers in his group. I got to sit and listen as Grace and Rose taught. These ladies are officers in the Women’s group from all the churches.
We took pictures that Jared requested and then drove home.
Sunday: August 16
We are off early again but not too early we have been told breakfast was at 8:30 and services begin at 9. So we want to arrive at 9 or after. George called and they needed communion cups so we had to meet up with his children to get the cups. (Anyone that visits us please bring communion cups with you they reuse them far longer than they should) This is Africa and when we arrive after 9 they are taking breakfast bread and peanuts with tea. We are able to say we have eaten. The men are in a meeting and the ladies and just sitting. It was after 10 before it all started and then they gave each speaker a time limit. John stayed in his very well. We think I will start putting on sunglasses to let him know when to stop.
The Conference seemed to be a success for those attending and they felt recharged. There were about 150 people there. Rice and beans were served for lunch and everyone went home. At least 50 people requested we take them home. In the end Dino had us take 3 youth home from Ring road and the girls were thrilled to be in the car. I asked them, “How did you get chosen to ride in the car?” They said they didn’t know. They ask us if they were the first students to ride in our car. I said yes and they beamed with delight.
We now have an idea what a conference will be like in Kenya. The people love to go to these events. We have decided it is a break from the monotony of life. Next year they are planning a nation wide conference in June for women at Ring Road!
Pray for this event that funding will be provided and mattresses for the ladies to sleep on in the classrooms when they arrive. Pray for the speakers to be prepared with truth.
Pray also that those we teach learn to apply the word not just believe the word.
Pray we are able to communicate this message in all our teaching.
SAFARI
SAFARI
Safari being on a trip,,,,, that is to Eldoret,,,,,, I wonder if that is Swahili for Eldorado,,,,,, this is our first road trip alone, we leave at dawn,,,,, approx 6; 30 and things are looking good,,,,, we travel without incident and arrive safely,,,,, Francis the leader at Eldoret is having a leaders conference for men and women,,,, after prayer and worship we get down to business,,,,, connie takes the women and I the men.
The theme for Connie was raising women up in the church, but no one wanted to take on the translation for Connie so she struggled to convey to the group the message intended, but God maybe had already taken care of that
I used Titus for the men (thanks milt) and spoke of what it meant to be “blameless” etc, after lunch we brought the men and women together and this worked well
We spoke of how many people tried to incorporate their culture, their myths their witchcraft into Christianity and arrive at their own version and preach it as if it came from the Bible.
Kenya is described as 76% Christian and maybe 42 versions as there are tribes
We have to leave at 3;30 to get back before its dark and already its starting to rain and we are going back on the old road ,,,,,,,so every one comes out to wave us goodbye and every one stands by without a word and without a gesture as I reverse our car into a tree,,,,,,,so I have pushed the spare wheel which is mounted on the back door and crumpled the rear door and broken the hard spare wheel cover,,,,,,,what can I say,,,,,,,,
The rain gets heavier as we drive into the Nandi Hills,,,,,,,the roads are full of pot holes so we drive on the shoulder which by now is a very soft shoulder(the pictures don’t do the conditions justice),,,,,,so here we are driving on mud in and out of big puddles and here comes another one ,,,,,the hood of our car disappears under water and a wave sweeps up our windshield and over our roof,,,,,for a second our heart sinks along with our car,,,,,,,but it pushes on as if nothing has happened,,,,,,,unbelievable,,,,THANK YOU GOD
We get home all in one piece if a little bit shabby and before its dark,,,,,
We’ve moved into our new house and we love it,,,,,,,its on a huge lot and you think you are on a farm,,,,,,well at a stretch,,,,the house has a few problems,,,,,,the water suppliy has three breaks and the pressure is way down to a dribble so we get some plumbers who fix the leaks and the pressure increases from a dribble to a trickle,,,,,,,,none of the house is getting water except the kitchen,,,,,,so we gather around and parle and come up with the idea that we need a pump to increase the pressure,,,,so the pump is installed but by another plumber as the first two who worked for water dept were making money on the side when they should have been at work,,,,,they were discovered when I went in to pay an outstanding bill and the manager said that you have been disconnected and insisted on coming to the property and finding his employers on the job,,,,,,a few red faces followed
The pump is installed and we switch on with bated breath,,,,,,yes its running and pumping water,,,,,,,,,,and then it stops,,,,,,the pump has sucked our supply dry,,,,,,,so we gather around and parle once more and come up with the idea that the supply should first fill up a holding tank and the pump then carries water to the tank in the roof space,,,,,,,,and hallelujah it works,,,,,,,,through out this process we were dogged by power outages and so the whole performance took a week,,,,,,,now here comes the moral to this story,,,
We are in mega city,,,,,,,,(its really a walmart I don’t care what anybody says),,, and we get talking to these muzunga,,,they are missionaries who have been here for the last 15 yrs,,,,,so we introduce ourselves saying that we have been here just 2mths and what a hard we week we had trying to sort out our electricity and water and they listened to all we had to say about the subject and when we had exhausted ourselves they quietly told us that they have never had electricity and they hand pump their water,,,,they told this without a hint of sarcasm simply to say that’s how it is,,,,,,,,you can imagine how we felt,,,,,,,,,,,he’s south African and she’s American from Tennessee,,,,,,we liked them so we exchanged info,, they live about 1500 shillings from us and we said we would visit but,,,,, that’s another safari as they say in Africa,,,,,,,oriti,,,,,,bye
Safari being on a trip,,,,, that is to Eldoret,,,,,, I wonder if that is Swahili for Eldorado,,,,,, this is our first road trip alone, we leave at dawn,,,,, approx 6; 30 and things are looking good,,,,, we travel without incident and arrive safely,,,,, Francis the leader at Eldoret is having a leaders conference for men and women,,,, after prayer and worship we get down to business,,,,, connie takes the women and I the men.
The theme for Connie was raising women up in the church, but no one wanted to take on the translation for Connie so she struggled to convey to the group the message intended, but God maybe had already taken care of that
I used Titus for the men (thanks milt) and spoke of what it meant to be “blameless” etc, after lunch we brought the men and women together and this worked well
We spoke of how many people tried to incorporate their culture, their myths their witchcraft into Christianity and arrive at their own version and preach it as if it came from the Bible.
Kenya is described as 76% Christian and maybe 42 versions as there are tribes
We have to leave at 3;30 to get back before its dark and already its starting to rain and we are going back on the old road ,,,,,,,so every one comes out to wave us goodbye and every one stands by without a word and without a gesture as I reverse our car into a tree,,,,,,,so I have pushed the spare wheel which is mounted on the back door and crumpled the rear door and broken the hard spare wheel cover,,,,,,,what can I say,,,,,,,,
The rain gets heavier as we drive into the Nandi Hills,,,,,,,the roads are full of pot holes so we drive on the shoulder which by now is a very soft shoulder(the pictures don’t do the conditions justice),,,,,,so here we are driving on mud in and out of big puddles and here comes another one ,,,,,the hood of our car disappears under water and a wave sweeps up our windshield and over our roof,,,,,for a second our heart sinks along with our car,,,,,,,but it pushes on as if nothing has happened,,,,,,,unbelievable,,,,THANK YOU GOD
We get home all in one piece if a little bit shabby and before its dark,,,,,
We’ve moved into our new house and we love it,,,,,,,its on a huge lot and you think you are on a farm,,,,,,well at a stretch,,,,the house has a few problems,,,,,,the water suppliy has three breaks and the pressure is way down to a dribble so we get some plumbers who fix the leaks and the pressure increases from a dribble to a trickle,,,,,,,,none of the house is getting water except the kitchen,,,,,,so we gather around and parle and come up with the idea that we need a pump to increase the pressure,,,,so the pump is installed but by another plumber as the first two who worked for water dept were making money on the side when they should have been at work,,,,,they were discovered when I went in to pay an outstanding bill and the manager said that you have been disconnected and insisted on coming to the property and finding his employers on the job,,,,,,a few red faces followed
The pump is installed and we switch on with bated breath,,,,,,yes its running and pumping water,,,,,,,,,,and then it stops,,,,,,the pump has sucked our supply dry,,,,,,,so we gather around and parle once more and come up with the idea that the supply should first fill up a holding tank and the pump then carries water to the tank in the roof space,,,,,,,,and hallelujah it works,,,,,,,,through out this process we were dogged by power outages and so the whole performance took a week,,,,,,,now here comes the moral to this story,,,
We are in mega city,,,,,,,,(its really a walmart I don’t care what anybody says),,, and we get talking to these muzunga,,,they are missionaries who have been here for the last 15 yrs,,,,,so we introduce ourselves saying that we have been here just 2mths and what a hard we week we had trying to sort out our electricity and water and they listened to all we had to say about the subject and when we had exhausted ourselves they quietly told us that they have never had electricity and they hand pump their water,,,,they told this without a hint of sarcasm simply to say that’s how it is,,,,,,,,you can imagine how we felt,,,,,,,,,,,he’s south African and she’s American from Tennessee,,,,,,we liked them so we exchanged info,, they live about 1500 shillings from us and we said we would visit but,,,,, that’s another safari as they say in Africa,,,,,,,oriti,,,,,,bye
WE FOUND A HOUSE
August 29, 2009
WE FOUND A HOUSE!! We should move on Sept 1. We hope if the water and electric are all on. Of course this weekend the water was turned off here because the renter hasn’t paid in several months. We paid our portion of the bill and they are just thinking we will break down and pay theirs. Well we are moving and so we can make it. Jackson saved water just in case and we will be fine. Living in Kenya!
So I have now come up with a new use for those loops sewed on your skirts to hang on hangers. They hook nicely on your bra to hold up your skirt. I should have purchased smaller clothes because all those fat clothes I left in well they are a bit big. Eunice knows a good seamstress for me. I priced machines but they are expensive here no Wal-Mart!!
Eldoret:
We had a great time in Eldoret. Great to see our friends! The road is always a challenge but we made it safely. We also made it home long before dark which is always good.
John had a strong men’s message. He had a great interpreter. I didn’t have anyone to interpret except a willing lady and we struggled through. We had much laughter as we tried to understand each other. When they shared at the end of the session they seemed to get the point. In the afternoon we joined the men for John’s closing word. He even made the men and women mix up. They usually sit women one side men the other. When we get the chance we sit together. I think people think we are crazy and radical. Just so they think we are radical for Jesus.
It was a great day and we look forward to our next time there.
Continue to pray for change in the churches here that people know how to follow Christ and live like the word. Traditions and cultures are tough things to change, but many times they have nothing to do with being a Christ follower. They must learn to throw off the past and press forward to new life in Christ. Thanks for all your encouraging emails and prayers!!
Connie and John
WE FOUND A HOUSE!! We should move on Sept 1. We hope if the water and electric are all on. Of course this weekend the water was turned off here because the renter hasn’t paid in several months. We paid our portion of the bill and they are just thinking we will break down and pay theirs. Well we are moving and so we can make it. Jackson saved water just in case and we will be fine. Living in Kenya!
So I have now come up with a new use for those loops sewed on your skirts to hang on hangers. They hook nicely on your bra to hold up your skirt. I should have purchased smaller clothes because all those fat clothes I left in well they are a bit big. Eunice knows a good seamstress for me. I priced machines but they are expensive here no Wal-Mart!!
Eldoret:
We had a great time in Eldoret. Great to see our friends! The road is always a challenge but we made it safely. We also made it home long before dark which is always good.
John had a strong men’s message. He had a great interpreter. I didn’t have anyone to interpret except a willing lady and we struggled through. We had much laughter as we tried to understand each other. When they shared at the end of the session they seemed to get the point. In the afternoon we joined the men for John’s closing word. He even made the men and women mix up. They usually sit women one side men the other. When we get the chance we sit together. I think people think we are crazy and radical. Just so they think we are radical for Jesus.
It was a great day and we look forward to our next time there.
Continue to pray for change in the churches here that people know how to follow Christ and live like the word. Traditions and cultures are tough things to change, but many times they have nothing to do with being a Christ follower. They must learn to throw off the past and press forward to new life in Christ. Thanks for all your encouraging emails and prayers!!
Connie and John
The road to Rongo
The road to Rongo
Its Thursday morning and we are taking the medical team plus VCT and the word of God to Rongo
Here in Kenya a journey is not measured in time or distance but in “shillings”,,,,,,,it is the cost of the journey in peoples minds and nothing else.
The plan is to leave by 7;00am and we get away at 8;00am,,,,,,,there are 7 people and we take 2cars,,,,,this is our first road trip and we are excited.just like kids
Rongo is on the the way to Tanzania a reasonable small town set in the “hill country” and took us 21/2 hours to get there or many shillings if you prefer,,,,,,
The outward journey is without event although the whole route was lush with banana trees and pineapple trees and beautifull views.
We get to Rongo and we stop for the inevitable soda,,,,,,before we move on to the real venue which is a few miles outside of Rongo a little village called Winyo,,,,,,,,
Winyo is a pretty little village and cleanest village we seen so far,,,,,,just about the whole population apart from a few children are with HIV.
We had great plans for our time at Winyo and as soon as we arrived what ever we thought we knew wasn’t going to happen.
Winyo is a farming community and had no rain for a month,,,,,,that is until the night before our arrival,,,,,,,everyone was in the fields taking care of business and so we had little to do without people to minister to
Eventually we get going with our talk on HIV and the need to avoid continuous re infection and then we incorporate Gods word into their everyday life the theme being TEMPTATION,,,,,,ARV’s ( the medication for HIV),,,,,,,apparently the women report that the drugs stimulate their desire for sex and this is a real struggle for them whether it is real or not.,,,,,as if they didn’t already have enough to deal with.
Only 2 men attended and this is the other problem,,,,,,,,,,One of the men was an elder and the the other man walked out.,,,,,,,men are either not interested or into denial or both.
The difference between men and women in the villages are very pronounced and the women are nothing more than chattels .The men call themselves Christians but don’t want to hear the word of God and don’t go to church,,,,,,they use sex as a tool to govern women , where wives can never say no and where the majority of men are having sex with the widows who also cannot say no for fear of a curse being placed upon them .
This information came from one enlightened man and all of the women who attended,,,,the man who we will call Charles,,,,,,because this is his name,,, started the support group in the village and here is his story,,,,,,,,
Charles was once the man that we have just described,,,,,,,he was married and having sex with other women married and widowed never asking what the husband may have died of ,,,,he thought he might have HIV but didn’t get tested,,,,,then his wife died and he chose not to know what she may have died of,,,,,he later remarried and passed on HIV to this wife his second,,,,,then one day after his wife had told him that she now had HIV,,,,,,he became convicted by what he always knew he had done ,,,,,,,he had killed his first wife and was killing his second.
He was telling me this ,,his story as we were walking from one small holding to another trying to gather men together to talk about HIV and GOD,,,,,,Charles is now passionate about men and their issues and recognizes what he is up against,
We came upon an older man and and I asked him in my best Lua,,,,their mother tongue to come and hear the word of God and get tested,,,,,,,he just burst out laughing at my attempt which is always a good way to start a difficult conversation,,,,,,He said that he was gathering feed for his goats and couldn’t come,,,I said to him all the goats that I have seen could feed themselves,,,,,to which he burst out laughing again,,,,,,,I suggested to him that as an older man he was a role model for the younger and by getting tested he would be a big man in the eyes of God,,,,,,,,,to no avail but who knows for the future,
We spoke to other men who promised they would come but didn’t
Connie spoke to the women and told how the bible described them as the last thing created (Genesis),,,,,,meaning they were the crown of creation and as such they should hold themselves in high esteem and receiving their assurance from God and not man. It is good to see connie in action,,,,,,she has a winning way about herself which she does’t necessarily recognize in herself,,,,,,,,Helen and Leah and the other women that Connie works with just love her.
Thomas said that these words were of great encouragement to the women of Winyo.,,,,,,,who inspite of everything were in good spirits.
We had a small medical unit with us that treats a variety of things mainly malaria and other chilhood things . There was one little toddler who had a severe scalding burn on her bottom fro,m hot porridge and then there was a boy called Kennedy who had cerebral palsy,,,,,he was ten but extremely small for his age,,,,,,we said a little prayer .over him and we discovered he was very ticklish,
Just as we were packing up to leave we were told that food had been prepared for us ,we were supposed to leave at 3pm and it was now 5pm,,,,,,even if we left immediately we wouldn’t get back before dark and everyone said that the myzunga( white people) had no business driving after dark
We had also said that we would go by Millicent house before we left Rongo,,,,,,,she had assured us that it was just 10 mins away,,,,,,,we should have known better,,,,,,,we started driving down these dirt tracks,,,,,going deeper into the country when Millicent(a nurse) pipes up that we are on the wrong road,,,,,,,we are thinking,,,,,,,Great,,,,,,,we will never get home,,,,,,we turn back and eventually we find her home ,,,,,,we asked if she didn’t get home much,,,,,not finding her way home ,,,,,,we get to her place and all the kids in the neighborhood turn out and her mother wants to feed us and its now gone 6pm and it looks like rain,,,,,,
We manage to escape without upsetting her Mum too much,,,,, and now the rain and we are on dirt roads,,,,,,but God is good it doesn’t come down in torrents until we are on a hard surface ,,,,,never mind the holes
We drive for another 2000 shillings and get home safely with much talk and laughter with the girls in the back, oh I forgot to mention Mildred,,,,, she’s a counselor, she’s riding with us they are so much fun,,,,,,THANK YOU GOD FOR A GREAT DAY
Its Thursday morning and we are taking the medical team plus VCT and the word of God to Rongo
Here in Kenya a journey is not measured in time or distance but in “shillings”,,,,,,,it is the cost of the journey in peoples minds and nothing else.
The plan is to leave by 7;00am and we get away at 8;00am,,,,,,,there are 7 people and we take 2cars,,,,,this is our first road trip and we are excited.just like kids
Rongo is on the the way to Tanzania a reasonable small town set in the “hill country” and took us 21/2 hours to get there or many shillings if you prefer,,,,,,
The outward journey is without event although the whole route was lush with banana trees and pineapple trees and beautifull views.
We get to Rongo and we stop for the inevitable soda,,,,,,before we move on to the real venue which is a few miles outside of Rongo a little village called Winyo,,,,,,,,
Winyo is a pretty little village and cleanest village we seen so far,,,,,,just about the whole population apart from a few children are with HIV.
We had great plans for our time at Winyo and as soon as we arrived what ever we thought we knew wasn’t going to happen.
Winyo is a farming community and had no rain for a month,,,,,,that is until the night before our arrival,,,,,,,everyone was in the fields taking care of business and so we had little to do without people to minister to
Eventually we get going with our talk on HIV and the need to avoid continuous re infection and then we incorporate Gods word into their everyday life the theme being TEMPTATION,,,,,,ARV’s ( the medication for HIV),,,,,,,apparently the women report that the drugs stimulate their desire for sex and this is a real struggle for them whether it is real or not.,,,,,as if they didn’t already have enough to deal with.
Only 2 men attended and this is the other problem,,,,,,,,,,One of the men was an elder and the the other man walked out.,,,,,,,men are either not interested or into denial or both.
The difference between men and women in the villages are very pronounced and the women are nothing more than chattels .The men call themselves Christians but don’t want to hear the word of God and don’t go to church,,,,,,they use sex as a tool to govern women , where wives can never say no and where the majority of men are having sex with the widows who also cannot say no for fear of a curse being placed upon them .
This information came from one enlightened man and all of the women who attended,,,,the man who we will call Charles,,,,,,because this is his name,,, started the support group in the village and here is his story,,,,,,,,
Charles was once the man that we have just described,,,,,,,he was married and having sex with other women married and widowed never asking what the husband may have died of ,,,,he thought he might have HIV but didn’t get tested,,,,,then his wife died and he chose not to know what she may have died of,,,,,he later remarried and passed on HIV to this wife his second,,,,,then one day after his wife had told him that she now had HIV,,,,,,he became convicted by what he always knew he had done ,,,,,,,he had killed his first wife and was killing his second.
He was telling me this ,,his story as we were walking from one small holding to another trying to gather men together to talk about HIV and GOD,,,,,,Charles is now passionate about men and their issues and recognizes what he is up against,
We came upon an older man and and I asked him in my best Lua,,,,their mother tongue to come and hear the word of God and get tested,,,,,,,he just burst out laughing at my attempt which is always a good way to start a difficult conversation,,,,,,He said that he was gathering feed for his goats and couldn’t come,,,I said to him all the goats that I have seen could feed themselves,,,,,to which he burst out laughing again,,,,,,,I suggested to him that as an older man he was a role model for the younger and by getting tested he would be a big man in the eyes of God,,,,,,,,,to no avail but who knows for the future,
We spoke to other men who promised they would come but didn’t
Connie spoke to the women and told how the bible described them as the last thing created (Genesis),,,,,,meaning they were the crown of creation and as such they should hold themselves in high esteem and receiving their assurance from God and not man. It is good to see connie in action,,,,,,she has a winning way about herself which she does’t necessarily recognize in herself,,,,,,,,Helen and Leah and the other women that Connie works with just love her.
Thomas said that these words were of great encouragement to the women of Winyo.,,,,,,,who inspite of everything were in good spirits.
We had a small medical unit with us that treats a variety of things mainly malaria and other chilhood things . There was one little toddler who had a severe scalding burn on her bottom fro,m hot porridge and then there was a boy called Kennedy who had cerebral palsy,,,,,he was ten but extremely small for his age,,,,,,we said a little prayer .over him and we discovered he was very ticklish,
Just as we were packing up to leave we were told that food had been prepared for us ,we were supposed to leave at 3pm and it was now 5pm,,,,,,even if we left immediately we wouldn’t get back before dark and everyone said that the myzunga( white people) had no business driving after dark
We had also said that we would go by Millicent house before we left Rongo,,,,,,,she had assured us that it was just 10 mins away,,,,,,,we should have known better,,,,,,,we started driving down these dirt tracks,,,,,going deeper into the country when Millicent(a nurse) pipes up that we are on the wrong road,,,,,,,we are thinking,,,,,,,Great,,,,,,,we will never get home,,,,,,we turn back and eventually we find her home ,,,,,,we asked if she didn’t get home much,,,,,not finding her way home ,,,,,,we get to her place and all the kids in the neighborhood turn out and her mother wants to feed us and its now gone 6pm and it looks like rain,,,,,,
We manage to escape without upsetting her Mum too much,,,,, and now the rain and we are on dirt roads,,,,,,but God is good it doesn’t come down in torrents until we are on a hard surface ,,,,,never mind the holes
We drive for another 2000 shillings and get home safely with much talk and laughter with the girls in the back, oh I forgot to mention Mildred,,,,, she’s a counselor, she’s riding with us they are so much fun,,,,,,THANK YOU GOD FOR A GREAT DAY
Thoughts n’ feelings from John
Thoughts n’ feelings from John
We’ve been here 7 weeks now and this last week has been a hard week for us,,,,we both have homesickness for all things familiar,,,,,we tell you this not to draw sympathy but just to say how things are,,,,,,we miss Ben and all of our children,,,,our family our friends our church our home everything,,,,,,I don’t know who caught it from who but with all sicknesses with couples the very least you can do is take turns,,,,,anyway that’s enough about that.
The next thing is that the budget we were led to believe and on which we based our costs bear no relation to the cost of living over here and so the plans we had established in our minds are completely redundant,,,,,,,,oh well,,,who did we think we were anyway
We are also living the curse of the rich and people who you think may be your friends for who you are , are sadly rare,,,,,,,,,all kinds of adjustments need to be made without becoming cynical ,,,,,,,,,we will get there, it just takes a little time.
So here I am speaking in a little church 2 hours from Kisumu,,,,,,in the middle of nowhere,,,,,it’s a small church but packed,,,,,it has a metal roof , dirt walls and floor and you think you are in a sauna,,,,,,,Im talking about equality between men and women when this little boy of about 2yrs gets up , drops his shorts and pees in the aisle,,,,,,the people behind the boy just smile at me and I smile back and continue as if nothing happened.:)
There are so many contradictory messages coming from these churches. they appear to be a community and yet a boy called James with a significant learning disability is hobbling around with Jika,,,,,a major foot infection caused by a certain flea that buries it self into your foot and lays eggs that then eat away the flesh causing permanent damage.
So we drive to the nearest town for medication which costs a dollar to treat this problem and when we get back we wash James feet with the whole village watching and soak his feet in the medicine,,,,,we then discover that his siblings are infected,,,,,,,their mother is dead and the father is oblivious to the needs as it womens work.We gave the medicine to the father with instructions and said we would be back at the end of September,,,,,who knows what to expect.
We share our house with Maasai and a man called Jackson and many geckos,,,,,,they seem to pop up from anywhere,,,,,,,,,we believe they eat mosquitos and because of this they are very welcome,,,,,talking of mosquitos,,,,,,they are not as bad as we imagined they would be,,,,,,but Im not saying we are “BUDS”,,,,,but when God cursed the earth with mosquitos He gave us respite,,,,during the day we are rarely bitten,,,,,,we know that as dark falls that is their time not ours so we go in,,,,,,,,,and at around 12ish the female come out and she is the one that carries malaria,,,,,,,and at 12 you probably have no business being out anyway,,,,,,God is Good I read that people used to think that it was the smell of the swamps where the mosquitos breed that made you ill hence the word, malaria ( mal=bad aria=air),,,,,,,,,interesting huh?????
We are extending our ministry into hospitals and prisons,,,,,,,,we were at this hospital last week in the children’s ward,,,,,we went in with a bag of fruit and a trusty prayer,,,,,and were blown away with 2 or 3 children sharing a bed ,,,,,,,,they had pneumonia, typhoid, meningitis and I don’t know what else, mothers were doing the caring as was the occasional father,,,,,,the heat was suffocating and the dirt unbelievable,,,,,,its enough to make you cry,,,,,,we went out for 2 more bags of fruit and then prayed over every child,,,,you had to be there
We’ve been here 7 weeks now and this last week has been a hard week for us,,,,we both have homesickness for all things familiar,,,,,we tell you this not to draw sympathy but just to say how things are,,,,,,we miss Ben and all of our children,,,,our family our friends our church our home everything,,,,,,I don’t know who caught it from who but with all sicknesses with couples the very least you can do is take turns,,,,,anyway that’s enough about that.
The next thing is that the budget we were led to believe and on which we based our costs bear no relation to the cost of living over here and so the plans we had established in our minds are completely redundant,,,,,,,,oh well,,,who did we think we were anyway
We are also living the curse of the rich and people who you think may be your friends for who you are , are sadly rare,,,,,,,,,all kinds of adjustments need to be made without becoming cynical ,,,,,,,,,we will get there, it just takes a little time.
So here I am speaking in a little church 2 hours from Kisumu,,,,,,in the middle of nowhere,,,,,it’s a small church but packed,,,,,it has a metal roof , dirt walls and floor and you think you are in a sauna,,,,,,,Im talking about equality between men and women when this little boy of about 2yrs gets up , drops his shorts and pees in the aisle,,,,,,the people behind the boy just smile at me and I smile back and continue as if nothing happened.:)
There are so many contradictory messages coming from these churches. they appear to be a community and yet a boy called James with a significant learning disability is hobbling around with Jika,,,,,a major foot infection caused by a certain flea that buries it self into your foot and lays eggs that then eat away the flesh causing permanent damage.
So we drive to the nearest town for medication which costs a dollar to treat this problem and when we get back we wash James feet with the whole village watching and soak his feet in the medicine,,,,,we then discover that his siblings are infected,,,,,,,their mother is dead and the father is oblivious to the needs as it womens work.We gave the medicine to the father with instructions and said we would be back at the end of September,,,,,who knows what to expect.
We share our house with Maasai and a man called Jackson and many geckos,,,,,,they seem to pop up from anywhere,,,,,,,,,we believe they eat mosquitos and because of this they are very welcome,,,,,talking of mosquitos,,,,,,they are not as bad as we imagined they would be,,,,,,but Im not saying we are “BUDS”,,,,,but when God cursed the earth with mosquitos He gave us respite,,,,during the day we are rarely bitten,,,,,,we know that as dark falls that is their time not ours so we go in,,,,,,,,,and at around 12ish the female come out and she is the one that carries malaria,,,,,,,and at 12 you probably have no business being out anyway,,,,,,God is Good I read that people used to think that it was the smell of the swamps where the mosquitos breed that made you ill hence the word, malaria ( mal=bad aria=air),,,,,,,,,interesting huh?????
We are extending our ministry into hospitals and prisons,,,,,,,,we were at this hospital last week in the children’s ward,,,,,we went in with a bag of fruit and a trusty prayer,,,,,and were blown away with 2 or 3 children sharing a bed ,,,,,,,,they had pneumonia, typhoid, meningitis and I don’t know what else, mothers were doing the caring as was the occasional father,,,,,,the heat was suffocating and the dirt unbelievable,,,,,,its enough to make you cry,,,,,,we went out for 2 more bags of fruit and then prayed over every child,,,,you had to be there
Writings from the week of August 15-22, 2009
Writings from the week of August 15-22, 2009
Jambo from Kisumu Kenya. It has been raining in the evenings so it cools off a bit and we are enjoying it. Please continue to pray for rain for us because it has been so dry.
Thank you for all being so kind to look at the pictures which fill up your email box. We will continue to take pictures but maybe you will not have to endure so many at a time. People here love to have their picture made and they want you to print it and give it to them.
This week many things happened but the most costly was car insurance. So we have taken the advice of an insurance man and we hope if needed it will pay. He was nice and Jared uses him so we trust all is well there. Even on the mission field life goes on in ordinary fashion about some things. We are still researching medical insurance that possibly will work here and stateside. The same doctor that found our car is researching this. We are in process to get our work permits which seems a bit more complicated that first thought but we are confident that it will all go well.
Our house you know is a sub-lease so this weekend we had the cousin of the man who the house is rented to sitting in our living room watching TV. We were a bit surprised as you can imagine. We find out he is staying and is outside in the guest house. The woman never really speaks and we aren’t too sure what is going on. Jackson isn’t sure either but walks in the kitchen and does a few things. John and I just watched we aren’t too sure what is up. Jackson is off on the weekend so no one to ask. Later they leave but return. Now they have left as far as we know. So you never know who might show up when you sub-lent a house in Kenya.
This week on Thursday we were in the field with VCT and had a chance to do Bible teachings while people wait. The turn out was great and they tested 44 people. John and I had the opportunity to go to a lady’s home nearby and pray with her and her friend.
It was a long distance and a walk but worth it because of the response to testing. Many young men came and this is also encouraging.
Friday we were back at Dunga Beach. This sounds much more lovely than it is. It is a fishing place mainly where boats come in with the catch and there are ladies waiting to bargain and sale fish. The best way to reach these ladies is to walk up and teach the Bible as they clean and scale their fish. This is about the fourth time we have been there for this work and I think they are starting to trust that we will come again. Now they welcome us back each time. John goes out finding men or boys and sits wherever they are and teaches. This week one of the men from the day before that was tested came to find John since they had talked long after he had learned of his status on Thursday. John had invited him for study and he came to Dunga.
Saturday was our first monthly Bible Study for the ladies at Ring Road. We told them 9 AM to 2 PM. So in typical African fashion they arrived about 10:30. Let me give credit to the 6 that came around 9. We had chai and bread. Everyone loved that.
John felt it was important to teach the ladies what he has been teaching to the men so they would know what the men are hearing. He did a great job and left the ladies feeling important in God’s eyes. Then I taught on prayer and how to have your heart clean before God before the prayers would be heard for the others. I stressed prayer for their husbands and to let God do the work. Please keep these ladies in prayer as they try to change to live for the Lord and raise children to live Biblical principles. Many had things to share at the end of what the words meant and how the changes they needed to make.
After sharing and singing they had kuku (chicken) ugali, and greens. They left with full hearts and full stomachs. We will meet again September 19. They are excited to have a plan to come together monthly. Your funding supports this event for women to grow in their walk with the Lord.
Blessings, Connie
PS: Since everyone seemed to enjoy the melting toe nail polish story so much I had a couple of funny things about life in Kenya.
In Kenya dairy is just not what you think it will be.
Cream has curds and cottage cheese is one big curd.
Yogurt you drink from a carton just like milk.
Milk comes in packets.
Last weekend we were eating breakfast and I reached for the cream and after pouring realized I had just poured vanilla yogurt in my coffee. Now what to do? Well maybe it would be good so I just drank it and pretended I was at Starbucks ordering a vanilla latte.
But this week we discovered laughing cow cheese and it TASTE THE SAME!!! You have no idea how exciting this discovery is. God is good to give us a small taste of home.
The House:
Our house is a big house built when the British were here. It is almost like being back in the Hudspeth. Well not quite you see there is no hot water. The rental agency told us we could just pick up a kettle for 1000ksh ($13) and boil all the water we needed. Did he think we didn’t know how to boil water? It is so hot here most days the cold shower seems just fine.
The upside is we have water!!! We can’t drink it but we can flush it. The pipe out front is broken and Jackson tied something (plastic bags) around it and it is still holding. We are waiting to see if the agency will send someone to repair it.
I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of our life here.
Jambo from Kisumu Kenya. It has been raining in the evenings so it cools off a bit and we are enjoying it. Please continue to pray for rain for us because it has been so dry.
Thank you for all being so kind to look at the pictures which fill up your email box. We will continue to take pictures but maybe you will not have to endure so many at a time. People here love to have their picture made and they want you to print it and give it to them.
This week many things happened but the most costly was car insurance. So we have taken the advice of an insurance man and we hope if needed it will pay. He was nice and Jared uses him so we trust all is well there. Even on the mission field life goes on in ordinary fashion about some things. We are still researching medical insurance that possibly will work here and stateside. The same doctor that found our car is researching this. We are in process to get our work permits which seems a bit more complicated that first thought but we are confident that it will all go well.
Our house you know is a sub-lease so this weekend we had the cousin of the man who the house is rented to sitting in our living room watching TV. We were a bit surprised as you can imagine. We find out he is staying and is outside in the guest house. The woman never really speaks and we aren’t too sure what is going on. Jackson isn’t sure either but walks in the kitchen and does a few things. John and I just watched we aren’t too sure what is up. Jackson is off on the weekend so no one to ask. Later they leave but return. Now they have left as far as we know. So you never know who might show up when you sub-lent a house in Kenya.
This week on Thursday we were in the field with VCT and had a chance to do Bible teachings while people wait. The turn out was great and they tested 44 people. John and I had the opportunity to go to a lady’s home nearby and pray with her and her friend.
It was a long distance and a walk but worth it because of the response to testing. Many young men came and this is also encouraging.
Friday we were back at Dunga Beach. This sounds much more lovely than it is. It is a fishing place mainly where boats come in with the catch and there are ladies waiting to bargain and sale fish. The best way to reach these ladies is to walk up and teach the Bible as they clean and scale their fish. This is about the fourth time we have been there for this work and I think they are starting to trust that we will come again. Now they welcome us back each time. John goes out finding men or boys and sits wherever they are and teaches. This week one of the men from the day before that was tested came to find John since they had talked long after he had learned of his status on Thursday. John had invited him for study and he came to Dunga.
Saturday was our first monthly Bible Study for the ladies at Ring Road. We told them 9 AM to 2 PM. So in typical African fashion they arrived about 10:30. Let me give credit to the 6 that came around 9. We had chai and bread. Everyone loved that.
John felt it was important to teach the ladies what he has been teaching to the men so they would know what the men are hearing. He did a great job and left the ladies feeling important in God’s eyes. Then I taught on prayer and how to have your heart clean before God before the prayers would be heard for the others. I stressed prayer for their husbands and to let God do the work. Please keep these ladies in prayer as they try to change to live for the Lord and raise children to live Biblical principles. Many had things to share at the end of what the words meant and how the changes they needed to make.
After sharing and singing they had kuku (chicken) ugali, and greens. They left with full hearts and full stomachs. We will meet again September 19. They are excited to have a plan to come together monthly. Your funding supports this event for women to grow in their walk with the Lord.
Blessings, Connie
PS: Since everyone seemed to enjoy the melting toe nail polish story so much I had a couple of funny things about life in Kenya.
In Kenya dairy is just not what you think it will be.
Cream has curds and cottage cheese is one big curd.
Yogurt you drink from a carton just like milk.
Milk comes in packets.
Last weekend we were eating breakfast and I reached for the cream and after pouring realized I had just poured vanilla yogurt in my coffee. Now what to do? Well maybe it would be good so I just drank it and pretended I was at Starbucks ordering a vanilla latte.
But this week we discovered laughing cow cheese and it TASTE THE SAME!!! You have no idea how exciting this discovery is. God is good to give us a small taste of home.
The House:
Our house is a big house built when the British were here. It is almost like being back in the Hudspeth. Well not quite you see there is no hot water. The rental agency told us we could just pick up a kettle for 1000ksh ($13) and boil all the water we needed. Did he think we didn’t know how to boil water? It is so hot here most days the cold shower seems just fine.
The upside is we have water!!! We can’t drink it but we can flush it. The pipe out front is broken and Jackson tied something (plastic bags) around it and it is still holding. We are waiting to see if the agency will send someone to repair it.
I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of our life here.
Another Day in Kisumu
Today we went for VCT visitation in the field. The visits are always touching but today was particularly so. We went to Jim’s a man who is HIV positive. Jim has no one to care or look after him. Jim’s house is falling down. When it rains his roof will leak. He has been alone for many years now. The VCT took a new mosquito net to him and a blanket for his bed.
He has a fractured foot which makes walking impossible for him. He is not able to attend any church fellowship so John taught him a Bible lesson and we sang a song and had prayer with him. We are not sure if the neighbors help him get water and food. The need is great for his house to be repaired and nutrition for the HIV drugs to be effective. We want to recommend mission teams could help with repairs like this in the community for those who have no means of doing for themselves.
Next today we visited another HIV positive mother of 3 who is a widow. Two of her children are mentally disabled. She is having stomach problems and goes again on Wednesday to get tests results. While she was out she had to just leave Junior her son sitting in front of the house. He doesn’t speak. We first arrived while she was out. Then we went back taking rice and beans from the school. Junior when he saw the rice and beans went straight to the kitchen and got a bowl. We know he was very hungry. He was very excited to see the food. His mother was very thankful. The older boy who is mentally disabled has been taken to an institution to live where he can be cared for. Some organization came and got him. We do not know why Junior was left behind to care for himself. We are told the care for such a child is expensive. The question is will they soon be orphans and then what will happen? The mother is doing all she can to put food on the table but sometimes she is too sick to work or care for the family. The churches here have so much to do they can not possibly care for all the needs of the people because everyone in their church needs something.
Then at the end of the day we went to a widows support group. The group has about 25 members. They meet every week to help each other and encourage each other. They too are HIV positive because their husbands have died of AIDS. They now are trying to think of ways to raise income to help people who are very sick to have good nutrition. This is so important for the treatment to work. They ask for prayers for this and to pray for hope for each of them. They are wonderful women who do so much for others and group members. These people do tremendous work with so little.
He has a fractured foot which makes walking impossible for him. He is not able to attend any church fellowship so John taught him a Bible lesson and we sang a song and had prayer with him. We are not sure if the neighbors help him get water and food. The need is great for his house to be repaired and nutrition for the HIV drugs to be effective. We want to recommend mission teams could help with repairs like this in the community for those who have no means of doing for themselves.
Next today we visited another HIV positive mother of 3 who is a widow. Two of her children are mentally disabled. She is having stomach problems and goes again on Wednesday to get tests results. While she was out she had to just leave Junior her son sitting in front of the house. He doesn’t speak. We first arrived while she was out. Then we went back taking rice and beans from the school. Junior when he saw the rice and beans went straight to the kitchen and got a bowl. We know he was very hungry. He was very excited to see the food. His mother was very thankful. The older boy who is mentally disabled has been taken to an institution to live where he can be cared for. Some organization came and got him. We do not know why Junior was left behind to care for himself. We are told the care for such a child is expensive. The question is will they soon be orphans and then what will happen? The mother is doing all she can to put food on the table but sometimes she is too sick to work or care for the family. The churches here have so much to do they can not possibly care for all the needs of the people because everyone in their church needs something.
Then at the end of the day we went to a widows support group. The group has about 25 members. They meet every week to help each other and encourage each other. They too are HIV positive because their husbands have died of AIDS. They now are trying to think of ways to raise income to help people who are very sick to have good nutrition. This is so important for the treatment to work. They ask for prayers for this and to pray for hope for each of them. They are wonderful women who do so much for others and group members. These people do tremendous work with so little.
July 29
July 29, 2009 Kisumu Kenya
Today we were in the field again visiting those who are sick and confined to bed. It is hard to watch people who are dying and try to give them hope which can only be found in Jesus. Many times people become sick and will be in denial about why they are sick. This means by the time they reach the courage to get tested for HIV they are advanced in their illness. Then they are so weak that they get many secondary infections which make them even weaker and sicker. The VCT is doing all it can to create awareness of the importance to get everyone tested and know how to live with HIV. The sooner the diagnoses the sooner the treatment begins and they are likely to have a much longer and healthier life.
Our first visit today was Wilson Rabier. Wilson is so weak he can not speak. His wife left him when he became ill and so he living with a sister who is looking after him as well as a brother. He was very interested in listening as John taught a Bible lesson to him. He then asked for a Bible which we had one with us to give him. He was so weak and thin.
Out next visit was to George Ogola in Kosule. He is a young man whose wife died 4 years ago and now he has been in bed for 2 years. His mother is caring for him. He has no children or anyone else. He was reading his Bible as we entered his mud house. John taught a word to him and prayed for him.
On our way back to work we stopped at a support group members home who had lost her daughter. The deceased young woman was 23. She had malaria and other infections. It was a sad time the body will be brought to the home today and the burial will be tomorrow. We had a time of prayer with the mother.
Also on the road was another woman sitting and selling coal. She too was HIV positive and looked very frail but was trying to make a living. John prayed with her.
Each case is heart breaking. Prayer is huge in the encouragement of the sick.
Today we were in the field again visiting those who are sick and confined to bed. It is hard to watch people who are dying and try to give them hope which can only be found in Jesus. Many times people become sick and will be in denial about why they are sick. This means by the time they reach the courage to get tested for HIV they are advanced in their illness. Then they are so weak that they get many secondary infections which make them even weaker and sicker. The VCT is doing all it can to create awareness of the importance to get everyone tested and know how to live with HIV. The sooner the diagnoses the sooner the treatment begins and they are likely to have a much longer and healthier life.
Our first visit today was Wilson Rabier. Wilson is so weak he can not speak. His wife left him when he became ill and so he living with a sister who is looking after him as well as a brother. He was very interested in listening as John taught a Bible lesson to him. He then asked for a Bible which we had one with us to give him. He was so weak and thin.
Out next visit was to George Ogola in Kosule. He is a young man whose wife died 4 years ago and now he has been in bed for 2 years. His mother is caring for him. He has no children or anyone else. He was reading his Bible as we entered his mud house. John taught a word to him and prayed for him.
On our way back to work we stopped at a support group members home who had lost her daughter. The deceased young woman was 23. She had malaria and other infections. It was a sad time the body will be brought to the home today and the burial will be tomorrow. We had a time of prayer with the mother.
Also on the road was another woman sitting and selling coal. She too was HIV positive and looked very frail but was trying to make a living. John prayed with her.
Each case is heart breaking. Prayer is huge in the encouragement of the sick.
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