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.

Kisumu Life April and May 2011

EVERYDAY LIFE IN KISUMU

One thing about being a missionary people believe you have a different life and yes we do but we do have a life. We have friends visit. We spend time exploring our area. We go to church and we have quiet days at home. It really is just life in a different place from home as we know it. Yes it is different and yes we have different ways of taking care of business but it is just life.

Christine and Ed were here in Kisumu to celebrate their first anniversary
It is always fun when old friends call and say we are in Kisumu!



Fun days with friends:

Lydia works for Mike in the compound where we live. She was with us in Mombassa so we have got to be friends. One Saturday we had a girls outing and ended up at her house. We were a multi cultural group that day with Australians, British, Americans, and Kenyans. It was a fun afternoon with the girls. As you can see by the shine on the faces it was a bit HOT, too.



ELDORET IN APRIL:

We were at KIBURER CHURCH IN CHEPKONGONY. This weekend our friends Paula and Peter journeyed with us to Eldoret. At the church that Sunday was to be a wedding and Francis was doing the ceremony. The wedding became part of the service. John taught on the role of a husband and wife from Ephesians.  John took the pictures but he shouldn’t be left in charge of a camera without a responsible adult present so there isn’t much to showL

The church was packed with 3 churches trying to crowd their way in for the wedding. The singing was lively and they even had a generator for a keyboard and microphone.  

It was loud.

NEW GROUP STARTS:

A group of ladies meeting in Nyalenda asked if Connie and Helen could start meeting with them monthly. It is always exciting to find a new group to get to share God’s word.

Below is their picture and they are called “Humble Women”.

KASARANE: by John

I loooove the people at Kasarane,,,,,,,they are my most dependable groups,,,,I have a women’s group attended by a few men and and a men’s group attended by a few women,,,,,they are there week in week out they get into discussions which is very unusual they sing with much gusto and best of all,,,,,,,they love the Lord J,,,,,the groups are made up of fishermen and ladies who sell fish,,,,it’s all about the lake.

ANSWERED PRAYER:

We have worked with Helen almost since we arrived interpreting for us. John has had several people who have helped him but we have prayed and looked for someone dependable and a believer. Martha has arrived! Martha we met over a year ago and she has been living in Mombassa. She has moved back to Kisumu and she started with us this week. So you will get to know her as you know Helen through pictures and the blog.

They will continue meeting with the groups while we are away.

ECCLESIASTES 3:9-11

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they can not fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

SUNDAY LUNCH IN KAJULU:

 May 1, 2011 our entire compound was invited to Lydia’s mama’s compound. So two very full cars went to hills. We toured the compound had a wonderful lunch and good fellowship and gave a little something to help with Mama Margaret’s church.

Then we all headed back to Kisumu but not with out a group picture.



Patchie and John with Angel




As you see not everyone got a seat Ali got the rear view.



Group Picture

JULY 2011

July 2011 will mark the end of our 2 year commitment in Kenya. We do not feel the Lord has released us from this commitment so we will be using our time in the USA to fund raise for support to continue another 2 years in Kenya. Below is information on how to contribute to the ministry if the Lord leads you.

As many of you know our home church in Amarillo has gone through many changes. They will not be able to handle our funds anymore through the church so we have found a missionary agency to do this. Our church is still with us all the way on missions and we have a great support system there.

For Tax Deductible Gifts:

  1.  Online Donations for my account -

       www.WorldOutreach.org

      Click Donate & select our name from the list

      (USA & International Cards accepted)

  2.  Or, Mail Checks to -

        World Outreach Ministries

        P.O. Box B

        Marietta, GA  30061

        (Designate for Connie and John Okill, Fund Code 114)

March 2011 in KISUMU AND ELDORET KENYA

Saffa/Oboch is a HIV SUPPORT GROUP in Nyalenda. Each of the members supports themselves in various ways to put food on their table and a roof over their heads. The members are mainly widows. The group has begun weaving plastic bags into purses, bags, hats, tablemats and front door mats. They pick up dirty bags and used ones they find. They clean and cut the plastic bags into strips and knit or crochet them together. Each month I take all the extra bags I have from the grocery store and give them to the group. They are so thrilled to get clean bags. They hope to sell their products to help support the group in all their basic needs and when someone is sick and needs assistance the group will have the funds. Below is a picture of them with their goods. If you are in Kisumu let me take you to meet this great group of women and do plan to purchase a bag.

   



SAFFA OBOCH WITH THEIR ITEMS FOR SALE EVERYTHING $5-$7 US$







LOSIRWA MARCH 2011 by John

Losirwa is a little church in the middle of nowhere, one of the Eldoret cluster and led by a young man called Pius. It is a church lively in worship but in need of solid teaching. The congregation is very receptive and responded well to teaching on the Ten Commandments and how they related to the individual and the group.

 

 

BEWOPOL is another HIV Support group in Manyatta B area of Kisumu. This group meets next to a Nursery School where we get the opportunity to share a Bible story each month when we visit. This group has about 50 members and continues to grow as they reach out to the sick in the community. Most of the members now have Bibles and many new members received a new Bible in March.

"so is My Word that goes out from My mouth;

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:11

MANYATTA B WIDOWS GROUP:

Many times we never know if the seeds planted ever take root and that is for the Lord to know not us but a few weeks ago a woman stood up and shared that because of the Bible being made available to her she took it home and read it and accepted Jesus as he Savior.

Praise God that His word will not return void.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,

joints and marrow;

it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12



2 pm Dunga Fish Ladies by John

These are a great bunch of ladies who earn a living by selling fish in town after buying from the fishermen. (The fishermen go out in two sets and return at either 8am or 2pm)They are a mix of some churched and unchurched women and a range of understanding of what it means to be saved, much time is taken to go over the essentials which took 5 weeks and then they received bible.

Thomas from the Bible League came for the presentation of Bibles this day.

KAJULU by John

KAJULU is a small village at the base of the foot hills 30 minutes drive out of Kisumu. There a group of Christians meet every week in the same house to give praise and glory to God. They come from a background of different churches but this does not hinder their worship. They are also a group which serves to support themselves and a collection is taken up each week and the given to a person in need (isn’t this an acts church?).I met with this group for six weeks with the purpose of helping those who did not have a bible to get one and to under score the plan of salvation which was clear that they understood. They understand now that the responsibility of receiving a bible is that they share the Good News with all.

Association of Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK) by John

I’ve recently been sharing at a group for physically disabled adults who are all supporting themselves financially and who come together to form a co-op or self help group. The meetings are very long and very officious and often contentious by the sound of their voices. I am given a 15 minute slot between items of business and some of the people in attendance use this time for a napJ Sometimes like today I arrive only to be told that today I needn’t bother,,,,,, I think that after attending for some 5 weeks this might be the time to shake the dust off my feet,,,,what do you think? :)

“Unknown African Lady” by John

This was the description written by the emergency room staff that treated a mentally ill street woman who couldn’t speak.

We found this lady on the side of the road with a horrible wound to the head. We thought this woman a victim of a hit and run but the examination told us that she had been attacked sometime in the previous night.

We have no idea how long she had been there or how people had passed her by.  After her treatment in hospital we called Helen our interpreter who went out and bought her clean clothes and then we took her for a meal  and after a prayer she was back on the streets,,,,,,,the alternative was the mental ward at the district hospital that resembled hell

FEBRUARY IS ALREADY GONE

Mombasa

Since we arrived in Kenya we have wanted to go to Mombasa so Feb 2-7 we got the chance. Our friend and landlord Mike rented a house and took some of his staff and we got to tag along. It was a wonderful break from the hot dry days in Kisumu. Mombasa is hotter than Kisumu but the Indian Ocean breeze is so refreshing and keeps you cool.

We ate fresh seafood almost daily. The beach was beautiful and quiet. We bobbed in the ocean to our hearts content. It was a great break. John never left the beach from the time we arrived. He was in it or looking at it.

breakfast time

Denise and I went to Mombasa to see the sights for a few hours. We saw the historic Fort Jesus and Old Town Mombasa and after an iced coffee we headed back to the beach.

If you are in Kenya we think everyone should see the Indian Ocean.

ELDORET by John

Going to Eldoret used to be such an” adventure”,,,,, the road had to be the worst in Kenya and something always happened,,,, it would take three and a half hours and quite exhausting,,,,but all that’s changed,,,,,almost the whole route is a smooth ribbon of a road that now only takes two hours and you arrive as fresh as a daisy.

We love going to Eldoret for the people and their outlook and their energy in praise and worship. We are still in the process of visiting the satellite churches in the group; they are all quite unique but all in love with the Lord.what a blessing

one of the children in the church

We were at the Kipkaren Church in February and here are a few pictures to highlight the service.




 

children from Sunday School singing

February News:

When we returned it was work as usual. The HIV Support groups are studying the book of Daniel and it is a challenge. My heart feels that they must learn to study the Word for themselves. They are all enjoying the Book of Daniel but many look like Kids who went to class with out doing their homework. We laugh and pray together and continue to encourage them that the Holy Spirit is their teacher and not me. Some groups are getting the idea and this week one man even wanted to write down the questions, who, what, where, when, why, and how to know what he should be looking for as he reads his Bible. Praise God when someone shows this kind of interest.

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

John continues to look for an interpreter and God continues to teach us His ways. John has been going with me to many of the Support Groups and sometimes he teaches and sometimes we both do. It is like old times working together again.

Helen is going to Dunga now with John on days we do not have groups in town so the Lord provides for what we need and in turn provides for what she needs.

We continue to give Bibles. 

Some of the groups are starting a Discipleship Book. 

The Bible League publishes these. The groups have done an Evangelistic study to receive a Bible and now this will be more of a study we can do as a group for several weeks. They will take it home and then we will discuss it when they come back to the meeting. Many people profess to know Christ it is like anywhere in the world teaching them to surrender their culture and ways to the Lord.

February brought a sad time for our compound as our friend and guard Elijah passed away. We all liked Elijah and will miss him. Another lesson in how quickly life is loss and did we take every opportunity to share Christ? Several of us had had conversations with Elijah and we believe he was a believer in Jesus Christ.

News from our family:

The surprise for us in February was that we are to be grandparents again in late July or early August. Danielle will have a baby and Benjamin will now be a big brother. So I guess most of you know where you will find us then.

We ask for your continued prayers for the gospel of Christ to reach the hearts of the people here in Kenya and for them to love God’s word so much they want to learn it and live it.

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.