Picture Limuru Childrens Center

img_0738.jpg

Home Safe and Sound

We are home now- we arrived on time last night around 6:30 pm in Rochester.  The trip was a little rough in spots.  As we were landing in Washington, D.C. from London we hit some serious turbulence and the lady behind us was hyperventilating and two kids in front of us used over 5 barf bags.  John and I tried our best ot keep our jostled stomachs from spilling over as well.  Then when we landed we had to sit for quite some time without any air circulation and were hustled to this movable tractor trailer with wheels packed like cattle then we sat once again with out circulation for another 15-20 minutes before we were transported to the main building and able to get off.  But we survived and successfully made it through customs and re-entered the US.  Our luggage looked a little haggard but safely arrived there.  Somehow though when we re-checked it they lost it and it didn’t make it to Rochester with us.  So they sent it on a later flight and will be delivering it to our home this morning.  Nice service huh?  I was afraid we would have to drive all the way back to Rochester to pick it up but thankfully they deliver.  The other blessing though was the fact that we packed almost all of our souvenirs in our carry on so they arrived with us.   John was feeling great on arrival not tired at all but I was so tired because my body was telling me that it was 3am.  Our pastors wife Nicole, was a welcomed face as she had come to pick us up.  We got what few things we had on us packed up and headed back to her house where our car was parked.  We then headed home where John to was starting ot feel tired and we left everything in the door way and climbed into bed for a great night of slumber and dreams. (we have been having some funky dreams since we have been on this malaria medication).  Although John has tinkered with the idea of going to work this morning he just wasn’t able to as his body wasn’t cooperating.  Please pray for him as he is not feeling so great today.  He can not afford any more time off from work and we are asking for prayer that he isn’t getting sick.

So other things about the trip we ended up with 1,000 pictures and 3hours of video footage.  Several “souvenir” items to use on our display table during prefeild.  I was able to find a traditional outfit and John found a nice traditional top as well so we can sport our African Garb when we give presentations.  We had such a wonderful time and we were so blessed to have hte opportunity to visit and stay in Nairobi for those 10 days.  To be a part of the work that hte missionaries are doing there and to see the visions and plans they have for the area way awe inspiring. 

Now that we are home we hope to spend more time in prayer and processing everything as we look to make some very important decisions about our future.  So many things to think about: school, jobs, times, location, money, support, direction.  So although I think we had both hoped that we would have this instant Revelation while we were there and everything would be crystal clear and written in the clouds it didn’t happen that way.  We now have so many more things to think about and options to weigh.  We ask that you would continue to pray and ask the Lord to lead us in his perfect will step by step.

Well I hope to get the laundry caught up and things put away , grocery shopping done and the house back in shape for everyday life. 

We will continue to update you all on what is going on as well as the revelations and conclusions we come to. Now that we are home we will also be able to post some of the pictures we took on our journey so keep checking in. 

Prayer Requests:

John’s health- that he stay healthy and goes back to work without a hitch

Tamara’s Burn- that there is no permanent damage and that it heels quickly

The ABWE team in Nairobi (The Stranges, Judy and Sam)- that they would continue to preserver in their work as they are short handed.

Russ Huff- That his health would improve and that Mary would have strength while she tends to him and that they can return to the field quickly.

The Stockmans- That everything would go smoothlys here at home so that they can return on the 1st of April.

The Ishlers- That everything would go smoothly as they prepare to move their family of five to Nairobi April 21st

The Erways- That the Lord would guide us step by step and make it clear what we are to do.

Our last day in Nairobi

Yes, its our last day here in Nairobi Kenya.  Although it will be good to get back home its going to be very difficult to leave all of our new friends behind here.  This has been an amazing time here.  The people have been able to meet, the places we have seen, the ministries that we have had the privledge to participate in all add up to one incredible survey trip.  To all of you who have supported us prayerfully and financially I want to extend my deepest gratitude.  If we did not have you behind us, this trip would not have been possible.  I would like to share some of what we have learned here and some of the ministry ideas that Tamara and I now have, but I am going to hold off for a while.  I do not want to say something in the midst of high emotions only to have to retract a statement.  What I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt though is that we are trusting in God to guide and direct our future, whatever it may be. 

As we prepare to leave Nairbi this evening I would ask that you pray specifically for traveling mercies.  I understand that security in the Jomo Kenyatta Airport can be interesting to get through.  Please pray that all of the pilots and crew members would be alert and attentive to their jobs and that the Lord would provide us with good weather for flying. 

We are looking forward to seeing everyone when we get home and to prepare a presentation that will capture our time here.

I will end with what I spoke about to the Capitol City Bible College students last Wednesday.  In Matthew 28:18, Christ gives a command to his disciples to go into the world, making disciples, teaching them His commands and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  This is a command that applies to you and to me.  If we are to be true followers of Christ, then we must follow this command.  This is not to say that you are commanded to go to Africa to make disciples, or to go to Mongolia to teach in a Seminary.  What it does mean is that you are to reach out to those around you and preach the gosple of Jesus Christ, right where you are.  That may mean sitting with a co worker and showing them scriptures about our need for Christ.  It may mean holding your tounge when a family member says something about you that they know will hurt you to the core.  Maybe it even means you need to stop taking an extra 3 minutes during your morning break at work.  All of these things done in obedience to Christ will be a witness to those around you.  Please don’t miss an opportunity to share Jesus with your neighbors.  You may be the only Bible they read today.  And if you are feeling called to full time ministry or traveling overseas to be a missionary, then don’t say no to God.  Follow through on His call in your life and He will bless you

In Christ,

John and Tamara

Friday

You know…  Tamara and I have both mentioned this before, but I can’t believe how fast time is going here.  Its already Friday and we only have a few days left.  Today of course is Good Friday, the day we recognize the crucifiction of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The realization that Christ died for the whole world’s sin is very prevalent to me right now.  Without His sacrifice there would be no hope for us, but because of that moment in history, when God became fully human while remaining fully God and then was beaten, crucified and rose again, we can now have assurance of salvation, eternity with Him who created us.  And this is a gift that available to all people, of all nations and all tribes (which  believe me has new meaning to me now). 

Ok, enough preaching for now.  Today was a chance to go to the Masai market.  Tammy and I had a great time once again bartering for little things.  The merchant will constantly say to you “yes, you sir, come to my shop, I give you good price”.  Then once you find what it is you are looking for you have to be careful not to show too much interest or else the price will be higher than normal.  The merchant will start out at say 700 shillings (about $12) and then you reply with about 100 shillings.  After going back and forth several times each saying “give me your best price” you finally reach an agreement of 250 shillings and then as you are pulling out the money the merchant will say “here, 300 shillings, thank you”.  Then you have to remind him and be firm that 250 is what you agreed on.  Its really alot of fun.  Tammy is much better than I am.  She was able to get this one woman down from 5000 shillings to 500 shillings for this set of animals sitting at a table.  The best I was able to do was for a stool that started at 4000 and I ended up getting it for 400 after the guy chased us to the car on Wednesday.  He REALLY wanted to make the sale.

This evening we are going to a church member’s home for dinner.  I think she is cooking a traditional Kenyan meal.  We are both looking forward to it. 

Well we will try to write more tomorrow!  Happy Easter!

Maundy Thursday

We got up and were out of the house by 8am to make it to the elephant orphanage by 11am. At first I sort of wondered why don’t these people (both nationals and missionaries) do more things in a day but in little more than a week and after experiencing the traffic here I can understand why. Certain times of the day it will take you 2-3 hours to make it twenty miles. The roads have these huge pot holes in them and when I say pot hole I don’t mean a little pavement missing I mean like a six foot wide three foot deep crevasse in the mud. So you spend your rides feeling like you are an amusement ride. There are some roads that are better than others but they are very few. One of the missionaries here told us that they fill in all the hole before the president drives down the road- so when ever some holes have been filled (with rocks, dirt or debris) they say the president must be coming. The other thing is the smell of exhaust- it permeates the air as large trucks and matatu’s (the little 12 passenger vans that provide transportation) burn and sputter and spout. Let me tell you the matatu drivers are NUTS I mean these guys go as fast as possible they pass on the right and left (you drive on the left here) they swerve in front of everyone- it is really crazy- I want to go on a ride while here but John seems to think I should let that go for now- I mean we all need a sense of adventure. So anyway- you bump up and down alot on the roads, smell some exhaust and get used to being stared and pointed at while traveling. I am beginning to really enjoy and accept it. So anyway today we played the part of tourists- for sure. We went to the Elephant orphanage first… they have baby elephants there that have been orphaned in the wild and they help raise them and teach them important developmental skills so they can re-release them when they are old enough. They were too cute- The handlers bring them out from 11-12 for a feeding and play time. the only thing between us and the elephants is a twine rope so they are able to walk over to where you are and you can touch and pet them. They had several branches with leaves on the ground and at one point I was able to hold the branches to the elephant would eat from me- absoluteley adorable we got a ton of footage as well as an education on elephants in kenya. They also had baby rhinos but just recently there had been an attack so they have not been letting those little guys out in the public lately- I did get to pet him in his pen though- for a baby he was huge and the amazing thing to me was that even though he had wrinkly skin it was HARD I mean rock hard wrinkles- weird. So from there we went to the girraffe park- yep a park just for giraffes (and they had wart hogs too) we were able to feed them and pet them a little. They were not really into the petting so much only if you had food and there was even a baby giraffe there- so fun. The coolest thing though is that I got to kiss two of them- yep thats right what you had to do was put one of the little pellets of food in your mouth (between your teeth) and let it stick out and the giraffe got it from you with his tounge- it was great we got video footage and everything and then I even convinced John he should do it too so he did- I know many of you think that is gross but how many times can you get the chance to kiss a girrafe? We were also able to get and education on the many different types of giraffe (I didn’t even know there were different kinds). The other thing that park does which is super cool is that they have a vehicle that goes and picks up young children in the slums of Nairobi and brings them to the park for free. They provide hte children with wildlife education and an experience they will never forget. Pretty awesome.

The last stop of our day was this bead factory. I totally forget the name now but here is the story there was this British lady who all of the poor single mom’s in Nairobi about 35 years ago and really wanted to do something to help so she started a buisiness employing these woman making handmade beads from local clay and then decorating them. These women are not only paid a fair salary but they are also given health insurance for them and their children (which is Unheard of here) so needless to say the jewelery and pottery that they make is BEAUTIFUL and actually they are really big now with shops not only in Africa but in the UK as well. We got a tours of the place- it was amazing they employ over 300 women who make handmade beads I mean handmade no mold just women sitting at tables rolling differnt sizes and shapes then they fire them then there are women who paint them- once again they are fired and finally there are women who assemble necklaces, earrings, barrettes, key chains. AWESOME!!! They have this HUGE room full of finished beads and when I say huge I mean like a tractor trailer truck with shelved to the ceiling and tubs of differnet beads-. The only thing I was sad about was that they don’t sell individual beads you have to buy them already fabricated. So by that point it was 3pm and we had to make it across town and back to church for the bible study. We made it just in the nik of time. Because they are in a new location many of the children saw the vehicle and came out – thinking they would be playing and hearing bible stories like they did on sat but this was just for adult and although many sat for about 45 mins they eventually got bored and went back outside. Pastor Gary is beginning a new study because of the new location.  It is a study on Biblical covenants.  Tonight he started at the basics of how we interpret the Bible so the students would have an idea of how they will be looking at the Abrahamic covenant next week.

Thank you for praying for my sunburn.  The blisters have almost completely gone away now and so has the pain.  Now its just a dull soreness.   Please pray for Judy Andre as this afternoon she seemed to come down with some kind of illness, with flu like symptoms.

ta ta for now

Wednesday

This morning was my chance to speak at the Capital City Bible College which is one of the ministries that goes on here.  When I say college you have to get rid of any ideas you have of college in the states.  This was a group of 11 men and women who meet in a few rented rooms from a large Presbyterian church.  They go through English classes and of course theological classes.  Remember I mentioned that though “Christianity” is VERY prevelent here, sound Biblical teaching and understanding is quite rare, so this college is an extremely important outreach.  Something I knew before I came has been reinforced during my very short time here.  The most effective way to reach people of a nation and culture is to have people of that same culture do the work.  The only way to do that though is to teach nationals so they can be pastors and teachers.  Please don’t get me wrong.  I feel that the work of the missionary in planting the church is vital to reaching the lost with Christ.  But ultimately, the hope is that the nationals will take over.  Anyways it was a great opportunity and priveladge for me to speak there.

After we were finished at the college we went to the Ya Ya center which is a shopping mall.  We toured around a little bit to see the different things that are available.  Most items are available here in some form, but some of them are much more expensive then at home.  On our way home from the Ya Ya center we stopped at a small Masai market to try to get some Africana.  We had a great time and were able to get some wonderful momentos of this trip.  We are also looking forward to visiting a much larger open market on Friday.

Praise the Lord for rest!  Today was a day to relax and wind down a little bit which had been a great relief after several days of going almost nonstop. 

Please continue to pray for Tammy.  Although the pain has subsided for her the blistering has begun and is painful in its own way.

Sunday – Tuesday in Nairobi

 The Utuwala Baptist Church has adult and children’s bible study at 9 am and then worship at 11am.  I mentioned in the last post that the location of the church was new.  I need to expand on that just a little bit so that you can all understand the demand of flexibility on a missionary.  For the last several months the church had been meeting at the Watai school in Utuwala.  Just as a side note, Utuwala is a community outside of Nairobi, mostly populated by lower middle class.  Lower middle class basically means that though these people have permanent stone houses with corrugated metal roofs, there is no electricity and no running water.  However Utuwala is an up and coming area and power lines are being run to certain areas.  So two Thursdays ago Pastor Gary was informed that the Watai school had been bought by another party, that the Utuwala Baptist Church was no longer welcome to rent space from them and that the next Sunday (3 days away) would be their last at the Watai school.  Talk about a shock to those who had been building this ministry all this time.  After alot of searching and debating, the team here in Kenya was blessed to find Airways Highschool.  Airways is a private school that has a very large property (I’m going to guess around 8 acres) with goal posts, basketball hoops, and two rooms that are available for Saturday and Sunday programs.  Not only that but it is within maybe a 10 minute walk to the property that will one day become the permanent residence of the Utuwala Baptist Church.  Even better than that is the fact that the principal has mandated that all students (91 altogether) attend both Sunday school and the worship service.  God is good!  I guess there are some downsides to having the students forced to be there, but they will be hearing the true word of God every week!  The seeds are going to be planted and we know that God’s word never comes back empty.

Sunday school was quite different than what I have experienced in the past.  Pastor Gary started a new study that is titled “A closer look at your identity in Christ”. The difference between sunday school here and sunday school in the states was the students.  I remind you that first, the students were mandated to be there, secondly that pretty much all Kenyan’s are very religious and if you are not ”saved” then you are muslim, and thirdly english is a second language to all of the kids.  What I found to be happening was Pastor Gary had to repeat himself over and over again to get a simple idea across.  And even then you really don’t know if the idea  has made it through clearly because, as I’m finding out, the education system here does not really teach you to think for yourself.  It is based on wrote memorization.  So when someone like Pastor Gary preaches the truth (which is significantly different from what they know) they just don’t get it.  And what the missionary finds himself with is a LONG upward battle to break through barriers of years of incorrect teaching.  However I know that God will work on their hearts and in His time those barriers will be broken.

The worship service great.  One of my absolute favorite things is to hear God’s people sing praises to him, even if I can’t understand the words.  I’m going to try to describe what it was like instead of just talking about what happened, so forgive me if its silly…  Movoko (the area Airways Highschool is located) is on the crest of a hill so there is a breeze almost all the time but at certain times will rise to a strong gust which blows the dust all around.  There seems to be only two conditions in Movoko; wet and dusty.  Sunday was decidedly a dust day and the sun was beating down hard as well.  After about 16 members from the first location of Utuwala came to join at the new location, there were approximately 80 people in a small 20 x 30 foot room.  Seating consists of plastic lawn chairs like you find in walmart and wooden benches. (Tamara is now taking over from here) There were children crammed on laps and people sitting very very close to one another.  Then the music and singing just reverberated off of the walls.  It was beautiful- so beautiful.  The echos of them singing in Swahilli to tunes that we knew in English it was an AWESOME experience.  Thankful we were able to video tap a bit of it and we hope to share this futage when we return.

After church we had been invited to a Kenyan home right there in Utuwala for ”lunch” which lasted from about 1- 5pm.  Because there were so many of us the missionary gave money for the food to this local woman but she purchased and prepared local foods including a chicken dish, beef “stew”, flavored rice, this rice and potatoes dish and then this  dish called mokimo- it is like green mashed potatoes with kernels of hard corn in it.  There was also this tortilla like bread that was served as well.  It was all very good but I have to tell you culture shock hit when I went to get some of the chicken and I pulled out the neck and head piece.  The head was the full head- I guess the brains can be a "treat" here.  John also told me that there were a few baby feathers that were missed on his piece but oh was it good.  I must also tell you that she prepared this entire seven dish meal on two coal cookers.  hot plates that were heated with coal and then the food was prepared from there.   Absolutely amazing- there was no running water and no sink in this residence.  If the dinner was not enough we then were given fresh banana’s and mangos.  Followed with with this "chai like" drink and fried dessert things- they were triangular shaped and were made of flour, sugar, coconut milk and seeds.  They were also delicious. 

When you get invited to a meal here it is not a couple hours it is an all afternoon affair the meal is stretched out (particularly because of the time needed to cook on the coals)  and people just visit.  So Mama Meg and Baba Meg entertained us in between dishes.  (People are refereed to after their first born child in this case their first born was Meg so thus Mama and Baba Meg).  The other thing that happened while we were there was that several children from the area just walked in and out of the home.  I guess in that particular area they look out for their own and kids just wanted from place to place.  Their parents just don’t seem to worry about it. A good example of this is that little meg just two happened to disappear at one point and when we asked where she want no one was concerned.  About and hour later Mama Meg decided it was time to go get her so I followed her to a neighbors house where she found Meg and we chatted awhile then returned to their home. 

The other cool thing that happened while we were there was that we were able to see and interact with a Masai.  There are a group of people here called Masai- they are nomadic in nature and well they are said to be the oldest ancestors of the area.  Basically they take their heard of animals wherever they want and no one stops them.  They have first rein and rule, where ever they go.  They are dressed in wraps and often have large beaded Neck things (like two or three inch fat necklaces) they are also the ones who stretch their ears out.  The ears have like hole larger than quarters in their lobes.  Infact when this man first walked into their living quarters I thought he had mutilated his ears because they looked funny- they looked like they had been cut in half but actually what he had done was wrap the bottom of the holes around the tops so they wouldn’t flap in the wind (at least that is why I thought he did it).  Anyway he came in the room while we were having chai and dessert and so I offered him a cup of tea and a few biscuits.  I was so pumped because we were told that they didn’t interact very often and that they didn’t like having hteir pictures taken either. So I was soo checkin this guy out and we were smiling back at each other since he knew NO english and I know no swahilli other than hello and I don’t even think he spoke that-  Long story shorter when it was time to leave I asked if I could have a picture with him and he said YES- in fact he grabbed my hand and held it (TOTALLY AWESOME And rare) after that they wanted a group picture so I pointed at his ears to ask what happened and it was then that he unwrapped the bottoms from the tops and I saw the huge hole- amazing…. wierd but amazing.   It was pretty cool- and he didn’t ask for any money to have his picture taken.  John said he was smitten with me but either way I was able to see a Masai up close and get a picture…. Awesome….

So that was Sunday- Whew so much happening it is hard to keep up.  

Monday I joined a bible study that a group of missionary woman have at Gary and Mary Janes house.  It was really nice to see the fellowship and connection they have with one another.  They are from different organizations and they differ in areas but they rely on one another for support and encouragement when it comes to living in a foreign place ministering to the Kenyan people.  John spent those two hours out with Gary doing "manly things" (I think they got coffee).  Monday afternoon we were able to check out some local sites when we headed to lunch. We also had the "fun" experience of exchanging money in the bank… 

Monday night we headed home with Judy (a widow missionary who is here) and we are staying down the street at Russ and Mary’s house) They are away in the states right now due to some medical problems Russ if having.  Please keep them in prayer so that they will be able to return soon.  Sam their "adopted" Kenyan son is also living there as well.   It is great to chat with Sam and learn more about the culture.

Today (Tuesday) we were to a childrens center that Judy has been working at the Limuru Childrens center teaching bibles stories and songs to the young children there. The children ranged in age from 3-5 and oh were they cute.  This was not a boarding facility but they do feed the children two meals and a snack each day.  There are currently 50 children attending but there is a waiting list of over 100 children.   The parent would love to get their children into the childrens center because there children are cared for all day and they are fed.  Most of these children come from homes where they are not fed- many are starving.  It is great.  The kids were so cute John and I jsut couldn’t stop picking them up and playing ball with them.  They had these swings made from peices of old tires and hoses.  Part of the tire made the seat and the rope part was made from what looked like a water hose.  Very inventive.  The children discovered John could pick them up and swing them in to the air and before he knew it he was mobed with little people.  Snotty little faces squealing with delight as they were thrown into the air.  I had one little girl who was trying to get my rings of my fingers – she seemed to want them something awful.  We took so many picture while we were there.  We were also able to video tap them singing and oh were they cute.  Please pray though during the bible s story a little boy dropped to the ground and entered a seizure and they had to take him to the hospital.  When they returned they said he had eaten something bad and it gave him a fever and caused the seizure I am not sure if food poising would cause it but the little boy is very sick and in need of prayer.

On our adventure home we were able to go through the actual downtown part of Nairobi as well as some of the out-skirting slums.  The conditions that people live in are amazing.  The change from rich to poor it just blows your mind.  Unbelievable mansions for UN people and government officials then tents and shacks of pieces of garbage less than a mile down the road.

We also went to this little place for lunch where they served traditional foods- it caters to Kenyans so we were able to order authentic food for cheap.  I ordered Talpia but I forgot that it wouldn’t be like home and when I received the fish head, bones and all I had to remember I wasn’t home anymore.  At times it is easy to forget you are outside the US because there are many convinces of home but then a visit to the children’s home or a drive down the street and you are reminded.  Toilet paper is one of those things.  If you are lucky enough to go to the place with a toilet there still is not always toilet paper there.  In the mall there is one toilet paper dispenser and it is out by the sinks you have to get your paper before you go into the stall- its just the way things are. 

Well I think that is some of what has happened in the past couple days…. we have been so busy it is hard to capture it all.

We also have a couple prayer requests:  On Saturday both John and I were badly sunburned.  We both wore sunscreen but he claimed he "never" gets burned on his arms but being so close to the equator and being so high up his arms were fried.  They have improved though and he seems to be healing.  I however was wearing a v neck shirt and forgot that spot.  I have been burned very badly on my chest, neck and the tops of my hands. It has gotten increasingly worse as the days progress. We think I might have sun poising but it is hard to tell.  While we were out and about today Mary Jane had to get some prescriptions so while were were there she had the chemist (sort of like a pharmacist) look at me.  She gave me this medicated cortisone cream with and anti biotic in it and she said it should keep me from infection and help it heal faster.  Please pray that the pain goes away and doesn’t hinder our activities here. 

We are hoping to post some pictures soon so check back in.

J & T

Catching Up

Okay folks, its John writing today so you’ll my slant on everything thats happened since we’ve been here. 

Sitting at dinner tonight in the Nakumatt plaza I turned to Gary and said “is it really only Saturday?”  His reply was a boisterous “Yeah, you’ve only been here two days!”  We have packed alot into these last two days.  On Friday Tamara and I accompanied Gary on a few errands around town.  This was our first chance to really see the city in the day light.  The hustle and bustle could rival most of the cities around us, and I can, and will attest to the fact that traffic jams in NY have nothing on traffic jams in Nairobi.  After dinner at a wonderful restaraunt where the waiters continuously brought meat to you on a spit and cut off whatever you wanted, we started to head home.  About the same time we started to head home, the skies burst open and began dumping buckets of water on us.  I mean it was raining, really raining.  So driving (which is a hair raising experience to begin with) became really interesting.  Then we hit the traffic jam.  After an hour or so of sitting without even moving Gary informed us that we were nearly out of petrol.  Meanwhile Mary Janes cell phone has been beeping to indicate that the batter is almost dead.  In an effort to conserve what little petrol we had Gary wisely shut the car down while we were just sitting there.  Well every so often the traffic would move ahead a few car lengths so Gary would start the car up and move ahead.  About the 10th time we did this Gary when to start the car and there was nothing.  The batter had died.  What I didn’t realize at this point was that Tamara was beginning to get very scared.  I however was just enjoying myself and not even thinking that this could be a bad situation.  After a few minutes of sitting in silence (save for the beep of the phone to tell us once again “I’m almost out of battery power” Mary Jane said “what else could go wrong”  I instantly blurted out “well we haven’t gotten a flat tire yet!”  That statement didn’t go over too well in the car, but I wasn’t expelled from the group either.  Well two and a half hours later we were through the traffic jam and home.

Saturday we had a chance to go out and minister in Mozoto which is where the new Utuwala Baptist church will be located.  I had the privilege of walking all over the community with Gary and with Sampson (a national who helps with the church) to help pass out fliers to advertise the activities that would be occurring.  It was a wonderful time for me to see the people and hear what they have to think about a Baptist church in their community.  You see, there are many many Churches around, but almost all of them are not Bible believing.  And almost all of them have a “pastor” who is self appointed and has no training whatsoever.  One man asked Gary if he was going to preach the word, or the church.  He went on to explain that he has had experiences in which the pastor was most concerned about his church as opposed to being concerned about speaking the truth.  I am beginning to see a picture in my mind of the Kenyan people.  Unfortunately it is a very grim picture.  So many of the people here think they are Christians and even that they are saved.  But almost none of them knows what it means to be a Christian, or how they got saved.  These are a people who are in desperate need of the truth, perhaps more then others because these people have been led astray for so long.  Its not that they have turned their back on Christ, they simply have never been told the truth.

So here are some prayer requests for you.  Please pray for Gary and Mary Jane Strange and for Judy Andre as they are heavily burdened with work here.  Please pray that Tamara and I will continue to have the opportunity to meet as many people as possible and interact with the culture more so that our vision of future ministry will become sharper. 

Made it!

Yes we made it here safe and sound last night.  All of our luggage made it as well, which was a blessing because for some reason in Rochester they tagged our final location as London which meant that our luggage would have sat in London waiting for us to pick it up and we never would have.  The very kind lady at JFK caught it and then sent new tags back to be placed on our bags but we were not sure that the tags would even make it there but thankfully they did. 

We it is about 1pm Friday here making it about 6 am in NY.   We were so thankful that we had pre purchased our Visa’s in the US because we didn’t have to wait in the long line.  Amazingly the customs person just waved us right through as well, so getting out was really easy.  We found Mary Jane and Gary without any problems and quickly got in the car to head here.  We unloaded all of the goodies we had that they requested.  They were so blessed to have the pudding, mac & Cheese, Ranch dressing and shout stain remover.  So thanks to all of you who helped pitch in on that effort.

 We spent a few hours chatting then finally went to bed around 1am.  John and I slept so soundly it was great.  I do have to say though it was interesting getting in and out of bed with the mosquito netting but I think we will manage just fine. 

Getting off that plane was like coming home- the smell and the feel of the air- the African dialect.  It is so awesome it is.  We have been taking pictures like crazy and I just don’t want to overlook anything.  So, so excited to seem more.  We were able to see a little bit this morning as we joined Gary when he went to feed the dog for some missionary’s who are out of country right now.  We also went to this market- Nakumatt- it is almost like a super wal-mart.  I know you are all as shocked as we were- really amidst all these roadside stands there is this market with darn near everything in it.  But it is odd how there are people with nothing than 100 yards away.  So we checked it out and exchanged some dollars for shillings while Gary got another tank of propane.  Then we headed back here for a bible study, but as it turned out the two men we unable to be here today. 

The biggest thing that John and I are wishing is that we had more bible knowledge, There are many people here who have religion.  And many who claim to be ’saved’ but from what we understand they have no knowledge of doctrine.  I wish I had started learning things younger in life so that I would have more knowledge now.  It makes me think of our little friend Suzanna who wants ot be a missionary when she grows up.  She is only in grade school and already so knowledgeable about the word.  What a huge impact she will have if she continues on. 

Well I apologize for the sporadic thoughts- I am just trying to get down as many details as I can. Also  let us know if you have any specific questions we can answer.

IN the meantime please be in prayer for John who will be delivering the message this Sunday at church.  Please also pray that we could be a blessing and an encouragement to Gary and Mary Jane while we are here.

Ta-ta

J&T

Almost there!

phew….  its been a long day so far.  We had a marathon packing session this afternoon and then a short trip to the southern tier to pick up a few last minute items.  Praise God though, we are completely packed except for those last minute things that have to wait and we are feeling pretty good about everything.  God has been so good to us in this whole process.  This morning on the way to work I was listening to a Selah CD that I had in the car.  The song was “How Great Thou Art” and as I was driving along I was watching the scenery around me, especially the incredible sunrise over Seneca lake.  I was almost brought to tears with an overwhelming sense of the creator of the universe loving me.  No matter how talented, untalented, skilled or unskilled, the Lord loves me.  He loves me for who I am.  It just struck me as amazing this morning.

Tomorrow is going to FLY by, literally.  We will be jumping ahead 7 hours as we cross the “puddle” to London.  I know that it is going to be a very tiring experience but its going to be wonderful too.  Tamara and I love to travel together and we are especially excited to make this journey together.  We both have so many memories of being in Africa, but now we finally get to make some memories together of being there.  The Lord is SO good.