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.





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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