JANUARY UPDATES

KISUMU IN JANUARY

Arriving back in Kisumu in January is interesting. Schools are still out and many people are still in their rural homes. The town seems a bit empty. Businesses are closed. In short

Not much happens.

A BIT FROM JOHN:

I can’t believe I am back in Kenya after two months in the UK. My mum who is 86 yrs is doing well after a severe stroke and epileptic seizures left her brain not knowing it has a left side but, after three weeks of in hospital intensive therapy she is walking well and slowly regaining use of her left hand and hopefully she will regain field vision in her left eye,,,,, God is Good,,,,,unfortunately when I called home this last week my mum had fallen and broken her left arm L,,,,thank you for your prayers.

We got to spend Christmas with Benjamin Danielle, Laurence and Danielle’s boyfriend Danny,,,,,,for some of the time we were literally snowed in,,,,,,,absolutely perfect,,,,we sent out pictures I hope you got to see them. We went to Benjamin’s first nativity play, he played the donkey and not just either the front or the back end but the whole thing, what a guy,,,,,,,it was a blessing from God to have this time together.

As Connie says I am looking for an interpreter and am talking to a young man who is praying about the position, I was introduced to him a long time ago and and know that he is very involved with his church an SDA church in Dunga,,,,,,,,,,Ihave visited this church and am impressed with the way and what they teach and how they conduct their services I meet with him tomorrow night,,,,,please pray that this is the right thing.

I am using the break for starting new groups in Dunga, so this is an exciting new start to the ministry,

Praise God

John

STEVEN

Most people the first 10 days or so of January are getting school fees together and taking children to school. We went to see Steven and pay his fees and take all his supplies. He was well and seemed pleased to see us. He loves the car as we have mentioned before so John circled the compound with him in the back seat grinning from ear to ear.

The school had very good things to report about him. It was the first time we had felt he responded to our conversation so we were pleased. He also has stopped tearing his clothes which is a real blessing. 

SUPPORT GROUPS

The groups are gradually starting back up from their holiday break so this week will be more normal whatever that is. We have had a few meetings and it was good to see their faces and get back to Bible study with them.

DUNGA

John taught the first week back to the ladies who sell fish and it was fun to catch up with

Mama Joyce.

There were Hippos just off the shore which was exciting we usually do not see them so close and we had not brought the camera that day.

John is re connecting with his groups in Dunga and looking for an interpreter.

ELDORET

This past weekend we went to Eldoret and John taught in one of the churches. He spoke on the relationships in our lives.

 

It is always a joy to be with Francis Bii and this time his two boys went with us to the rural area OLAARE. Our friend and neighbor Denise joined us and enjoyed seeing a part of Kenya she had not been to before.

FRIENDS

We are always saying hello and good bye to fellow missionaries it seems. This past weekend our friends Emma and David and Amelie (2months old) stayed their last 2 nights in Kisumu with us before returning to the UK. We hope they will be back but only God knows the plans.

Many of our friends have been away for the holidays and are all starting to return to Kisumu as January moves on.

In our ladies Bible study on Thursday afternoons we are in Daniel. It is so rich for our world today.  I hope these verses will encourage you as 2011 begins.

 “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever: Wisdom and Power are His, He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning, He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.”

Daniel 2:20-22

LATE JULY TO DECEMBER 2010

Catching up on the BLOG: Late July to December 2010

My children continue to remind me how long it has been since an update so I will try to keep it brief as I catch everyone up on our time in Kisumu since the last blog in July.

I think as the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words so let’s look at some of the last half of the year’s moments:

Late July and August 2010

My sister Kathy and my niece Anna came to Kenya what a blessing for us that they came. One short week we packed all we could in.

We went to the Maasai Mara which is a vast place to witness God’s creation.

Kathy and Anna were able to visit and share with several of our groups.

below a group of widows and a group in Dunga area

When Kathy and Anna were here we had showed them where we thought we were moving but our amazing and all knowing God had better plans for us than we could imagined….

August also brought our Kisumu friends Sandy and Dick to stay in our house while they were making plans for what is next in their future. Moving them out shows anything will fit on a tuk tuk. We laughed so hard as the driver put one more piece on.

We also had the privilege to visit Jackson’s church for their Baptism ceremony. John got the opportunity to speak as we gathered by the river.

Eldoret weekend-- JERUSALEM CHURCH



September 2010

We moved to the little dream cottage. Our friends Mary Lynn and Wayne introduced us to Mike Hawthorne from Australia. He has a beautiful compound and had two places for rent in his compound. Our friend Denise took one and we took the other. The perfect place and a huge savings to our budget.  This has been a big change as we are on the opposite side of town from where we work. This of course has forced me to drive in Kenya. I am reminded I can do all things through Christ. It also has open up new areas of ministry opportunities.

Our home is small and compact but perfect for our needs. So at the end of September we said goodbye to Jackson who has cared for us since we arrived. We now do all our own housework and cooking which we have really enjoyed.

We continue to support Stephen and John usually visits and gets his supplies.

Support Groups and Bibles continue each week:



The middle of September we got to go to Rondo a retreat center in the Rain Forest thanks to a friend’s donation for us to take some time away from Kisumu. It was restful and beautiful and cool and amazing food. A perfect way to spend my birthday



In Mikes Compound at the end of the month we said farewell to our friends Mary Lynn and Wayne as they returned to the USA.

October 2010

Weekend in Eldoret---SAMABUL

When we moved we started going to Calvary Chapel a new church plant a block or so from our house. Some of our missionary friends Peg and Matt are involved in this ministry. The Kenyan Pastor is very good and preaches only truth. This is very refreshing for us on the Sundays we are in Kisumu.

 The Lord continues to open up new doors of opportunity to share Christ. New HIV Support Groups. New Schools to minister to so there is no lacking of ministry. Moving has giving us opportunities in new areas of Kisumu as well.

We still are committed to giving of Bibles and discipleship of people. We still know God has called us to spread His word.

At the end of October John’s mum had a stroke which was very serious and he left to go to help in England. See how moving prepared me for being alone in Kenya I never imagined being here alone. My friends all say “you drove”? Thank you Lord for the strength each day to press on.

November 2010

Emily James and Jessica come to Kenya!!!

How thrilled we were when they called and said we are coming. Who could have imagined it would happen? God is faithful in provision.

I met them in Nairobi and we did some fun things and returned to Kisumu.

Lake Nakuru Safari—about 3- 4 hours we drove from Kisumu

Great adventures and animal sightings!

Kisumu

The Kids got to visit 4 HIV Support Groups and see Bibles given out.

They shared with the groups about iron sharpens iron and encourage them to continue in the word together as a group.

They got to visit Kisumu South School and play with the nursery kids and have great time sharing and talking with the high school age students.

Dunga Beach Ladies and a few gentlemen.

Mama Joyce was so excited that my children came to visit and told me after they left to tell them to write to her.

Thanksgiving in Kisumu—Fish and Chips at Kiboko Bay with Missionaries friends.

What a great time to share with family  and  friends.

We greatly missed having John with us and for them to see him in Dunga but Helen and I tried to point out places that John goes and where his groups meet so they could get an understanding of the ministry.

It is something that is hard to put into words when you have family come and they can share in the work. It was great to show them life in Kisumu and the work God continues to allow us to be apart of each day. Having adult children interested and supportive of the life we live is a blessing from the Lord.

Is is never easy to say good bye when anyone comes but to Emily, James and Jessica it was hard as it is such a joy to have time together. It passed so quickly I was glad we had pictures so I knew it really did happen.

DECEMBER 2010

Now John is still in England and his mum improves. I am working on getting to as many groups as possible and complete the Bibles for the month and on December 7 I am off to England until the end of December. Thanks again to generous gifts during this time of added expenses.  Our prayer is we will both return here together. We look forward to seeing our children in England around Christmas. John has not seen them yet so that is to come. We will be blessed to see Benjamin in his school play this year. He is the donkey.

We wish each of you a Joyous time celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!

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