National Hero

Joe Kadenge

I don't use a taxi very often but when I do I call "Joe Kadenge". He has been honored by three presidents and received medals. They have written songs about Joe and even named a street after him in Mombassa, Kenya.
 

He is a very honored soccer and football hero here in Kenya.

Rich In Love

The days are getting much hotter now. It has not rained for three days. Already the ground is cracking because it is so dry.

Three young men in their early twenties have been shot and killed in Kawangware. It happened late at night. No one knows exactly what happened. One boy was a relative to Pastor Chris. This month he has buried three family members. Please remember to pray for him.

Today I taught a primary class for a short time. The younger class is learning the short vowel sounds in English. With A piece of chalk, one small black board and a pointer stick we learned about the short "O" sound. They loved it when I drew the picture beside the word. However my "fox" got called a cow and then a dog. Then we went into a ladies meeting. I had been asked to open their meeting up with prayer before leaving Kawangware for the day.

We have also been visiting house to house this week. One lady began to cry as I told her that she was loved. We told her she wasn't forgotten and we were there to pray with her. She feel to her knees, lifted her hands in the air and with tears coming down her face we prayed together. One very very thin man wanted prayer for his illness. I shared with him how God had healed me years ago. I could see him feeding on each word I spoke.

Another woman tells us of how God has healed her feet. We had prayed with her days earlier. Her feet quite swollen and painful before the prayer are now normal size and without pain.

We walk through the Congo area. I hear one man call out my name. I turn to see a man that was staggering weeks ago. I had stopped to tell him that Jesus loved him. I had prayed with him before parting. Now I see a man filling cans with charcoal to sell beside the road. He so proudly tells me "I'm working!"

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and RICH IN LOVE.

A Special Sunday

How good God is. Sunday was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and the church was full. People were happy in the Lord.

 

Church starts at nine o'clock. For one hour there is intense prayer from everyone. At ten o'clock the pastor will speak for one hour. At eleven the service will begin with music and song. After a couple of songs the whole church goes back into prayer.  Everyone prays aloud.  After a period of time people will start singing again.  There will be about 45 min to an hour of African praise music. People will sing & dance unto the Lord.  It is noon time and everyone sits as it's time to hear the sermon.

 

Today was a special day as we had a visual, using flannel graph figures of the betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.  Many thanks to my mom, Charlotte Towne, and my sister, Karen Button, who spent hours cutting the figures out for me.

 

The children quickly came to the front and sat ever so quiet. They waited for each and every word with big wide open eyes. Young & old a like were happy they came.

 

Matthew 27:8  "Go Quickly & Tell"  was what each one was encourage to do.  Each one left with a colored beaded bracelet that tells the gospel story.  I want to thank my home church, Milton Assembly of God, for supplying such a valuable tool to be used in sharing the gospel.

 

News did travel "Quickly" and later in the afternoon children from all around came looking for the "white woman".  The gospel story was shared again.  With the gift of a bracelet they heard that Jesus died for them.

 

It is so rewarding to see those you spent time with through out the week coming to church.  The lady that had planned to end her life left church today with a smile on her face.  She wants to come back next week.  

I was cooked a hot meal last Sunday after church by a mother of three children.  Her husband had kicked her and the children out into the streets. She had no job and she had children to feed.  She did not have the extra to give. That morning we talked about "Giving God Your Best".  She certainly did give. It was a gift from her heart.  This Sunday she rejoices.  God has blessed her with a job.  She has already started to work. Jobs are so hard to find here in Kawangware.  God has blessed her so much!

 

Before we leave we pray for lungs, hearts, sick bodies and broken relationships.  Encouraging words and a time of visiting continues as we sit within the church with those that linger.

 

Around three in the afternoon the clouds start to darken.  We know what the skies are telling us!  So we quickly begin our walk out of the slums. We walk with happiness within knowing that God Almighty loves the people in Kawangware.

Very Pleased

Desperate Cries

The needs here in Kawangware are many. As the people open up their hearts to us we hear their desperate cry for help.  So many serious needs are placed before us.

 

A mother opens a back door & asks us to pray for her son.  A strong 35 yr old man spends every day in his bed.  Four years ago he disappeared for over a month.  His mother found him being cared for in a hospital.  He had been brutally attacked by machetes. There were injuries to his brain, legs and other parts of his body. His thought process, speech, and limb functions on longer work properly. With tears in her eyes this mother shows us a treasured picture wrapped in plastic of a son she has already buried. She wants to die now.  She tells us her plan of death.

 

In the next home we visit with a mother of 5 children. Some time ago her husband left her and the children. She still loves him as he dies with AIDS.

 

A matatu (transportation van) has an accident and leaves one woman with a swollen face & head injuries.

 

Parents of a 5 yr old boy who has not been normal since birth want us to come and pray.  He won't eat food but he will sit outside and eat dirt. He doesn't speak. He doesn't walk properly. He suffers with convulsions. He smiles and tries to claw my face.

 

Then there are those along the way that try to cover their suffering with the home brew. As we walked away from one such man we hear him say…. "I think I made a mistake by talking to her.  I think I'm converted now."

 

The children suffer and need prayer too.  A little 2 or 3 yr old girl has spilled boiling water onto her hand and arm.  The raw open flesh is left to heal on its own.

 

PSM 46:1

God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble.

A Gift From The Heart

We got caught in a down pour this morning.  We were on our way to church in the slums. It began to "fall" & fall hard. Everyone stopped what they were doing and found shelter until we had gentle rains.  We had a lot of rain throughout the day.

 

The church has new people coming. We are so happy to see faces that we've prayed with throughout the past weeks. The Lord Worship Center has only been established in this area for 3 months. The church moved from its previous location so that they could have more room. This morning I spoke from Gen 18 "Giving God Your Best".

 

There are many days I skip lunch, it is common here in Africa, but today I ate.  I wanted to cry when a mother of 3 small children brought me a hot dish of food after church. It was a mix of beans, corn, potatoes & cabbage.  I know she did not have the extra to give but she gave anyway.  It was a true gift from the heart. Her husband recently kicked her & the 3 children out into the streets with only the clothes they had on their backs.  Presently they are living in a little room attached to the church.  She hasn't any income and jobs a hard to find.

Mark 12:44b ...but she out of her poverty, put in everything- all she
had to live on.

Rain & Mud

Friday we walked through muddy alley ways & streets. It rained hard last night. Rain here always interferes with the power. So my lights have been on & off. The generators are running again. Today many needed prayer for malaria. One mother was burning up with fever. Police with AK47s were walking in the slums today. This is the first time I have seen them here. It's the season for kittens & baby goats. They are adorable as they try out their wobbly legs.

I ride the matatu to the slums. It is about a 20 min ride. You always say a quick prayer for protection once you're seated and they close the side door. Matatus are not in the best running condition. The drivers make up their own rules for driving. They will make a new lane for traffic during rush hour. Usually this lane is right down the middle of the road. "Beep" "Beep" means I'm not stopping. We have made U turns in the middle of the road without warning. This usually means there is a police stop up ahead! The side door of the matatu has actually fallen off. People have gotten out of the matatu so it can make it up the hill. Once the driver took a short cut. (a road he wasn't suppose to be on) There was a police car sitting on the side of the road. Our driver quickly puts it in reverse but the traffic behind us forbids him to move. The police pulls up in front of the matatu. The side door of the matatu opens and the guy that collects the money from us jumps out and takes off running. We all exit as the policeman slides into the front seat with the driver. The short cut will cost the driver some money. Either by way of a bribe or a ticket.

Wednesday was a very "hot" day. I do believe it was the hottest day since I arrived. Even though the sun beat down on us we continued to go door to door. We walked through one area where the doors started to shut from the inside. There are many cults here in Kawangware. Some of the cults forbid their members to visit with outsiders. We continued on and before the day was over one mother accepted Jesus into her heart.

Dollar Bill's Discount World

Linda Gove Ministries would like to thank Billy Burke owner of Dollar Bill's Discount World. He made a generous donation of over 900 Glasses to benefit the people of East Africa. His store is located at 133 Rockingham Road, Derry, NH. If you have a chance stop by and check out his store. His commercials on tv are entertaining. The you tube clip below is a clip of some of his comercials.

Day of Learning

Tuesday I was invited to a different part of Nairobi.  Pastor Margaret welcomed me into her home. There were other pastors and friends that joined us for lunch and the afternoon. It was a day of learning as I listened to the pastors share some of their experiences.  It was also a time to wish Pastor Margaret a "Happy Birthday".

Reading Glasses Bless Many

It is a hot Monday here in Africa.  Last night brought heavy showers and now there are many puddles to avoid. I walked with Pastor Adrian today.  Pastor Chris has returned to his home village. It is a 6 hour bus ride from here. Last week two of his cousins died.  One cousin died of a short illness. The other cousin died here in Nairobi. Gangsters shot & killed him. He was working as a guard.  When he opened the gate they shot him.  Please pray for Pastor Chris & his family.

 

We continue to visit door to door.  Many people ask me to pray that they will find work. There are marriages that need healing.  There are physical needs that only God can heal. I continue to pray for every need placed before me.  I hold the hands of those who are hungry. I look into the faces of those who are thrown out of their homes.  I sit and hear the cry of mothers for their sick babies. I ask God to open the womb of those who want children.  I hug the mother that has lost a child. My heart breaks.  My strength comes from above. It comes from the one I love.

 

The angels are rejoicing!  One young woman in her early twenties accepted Jesus into her heart today.

 

SUNDAY morning I spoke at "The Lord Worship Center" in Kawangware.  It was so good to see new faces join us. My heart sang when Rose joined us again. She is a new Christian with many needs. She always looks for me when she is feeling troubled. We have prayed together many times. I know God has something very special for "Rose". I spoke on Acts 12 & Heb 11:5  "Pleasing God".  As I described Peter knocking at the door I went from English into Swahili.  I wish you could have seen their faces light up. There were smiles on every face.  It is only a few Swahili words here and there but it brings them great joy. The pastors have also tried to make me as African as possible. They have taken me to a seamstress to be measured & fitted. They want me to wear African clothes when I preach. They want me to look "smart" & "African".

 

I have given out many reading glasses. They are treasured by those who received them. The glasses were collected by Newington Town Church in Newington, NH. The people here are very thankful for the gift.  Many pastors have found a pair that helps them read easier. It is such a tremendous gift for them to be able to read again. Many thanks!

Sunday Worship

A Time To Celebrate

Pastoral Leadership Graduates

Friday was a day of celebration in Kawangware. Ten students graduated from a two year study program in pastoral leadership. I was invited to attend and speak at their graduation ceremony.  I encouraged them from Daniel 1:8:20 "A Decision of the Heart".

I had one little girl try to pick the skin off my arm.  I guess she thought I must be black underneath J

 

Wed & Thurs we continued to visit people within Kawangware.  On Wednesday a 19 yr old young man accepted Jesus into his heart also a young mother. I am happy to report that on Thursday one more man accepted Jesus as his Savior. This week 6 people have opened up the hearts to Jesus.

 

We rejoice with what God is doing.

 

Thursday evening many of us thought there was trouble in the area. It sounded as if machine guns were being used.  We have been told it is a special Hindu holiday. There is a big Hindu temple not far from here. They celebrate through out the night by setting off firecrackers.

Slipper Socks

This photo is the children with their slippers.  Linda's Mom made the slippers for the children.  To read what Linda has written about the slippers in a past post  click here. 

Call Out His Name

I bought some "American" food today. (Tuesday) Pastor Alfred & one of his elders walked with me into the Westlands shopping area.  I have dried soups, popcorn, spaghetti, peanut butter and plum jam. J  I also found an umbrella & rubber boots for walking in the mud. 

 

In the afternoon I went back into the slums of Kawangware. I was sad to hear about a six year old girl that had died. She was walking behind her mom & she slipped into the drainage ditch. The rains have made the ditches higher and faster running.  She could not be found when her mom realized she was missing. The current had taken her away. They found her two days later but in a different area.

 

It is so good to hear my name called out as I walk the streets of Kawangware.  Some of the women will leave their stands to great me as I walk by. Every now & then my path crosses with those that have recently accepted Jesus. They take a minute to visit before they continue on.  Children walking home from school run to grab my hand.  It is not just my hand any more, they know me by name.  I walk to town, miles from Kawangware, a man stops me and thanks me for praying for him.

 

How happy Jesus must be when we call out his name! How it must touch his heart when we take a few minutes from our busy day and talk to him. How our hearts would sing if we would remember to grab his hand and walk with him.

 

I can not remember all the people I have prayed for. I have prayed for so many. I am so thankful for the opportunity to walk with them and to see their needs. I've cared about them deeply but today I feel their pain. I pray for them knowing God is all powerful.

 

At the close of the day I can rejoice as I have two new brothers in Christ.  A young man 21 yrs old & his neighbor accepted Jesus into their heart today.

 

My feet are tired but my heart is happy.

Abandoned & Orphaned but Loved

Monday I visited "New Life Homes" in Kilimani, Nairobi. They care for abandoned and orphaned babies. Many of the babies test positive for HIV/AIDS.  The babies are kept until they are 3 years old.  If they have not been adopted by the age of 3 they then go into a foster home. 

www.newlifehometrust.org

 

I also went to Kibera slums.  I am told Kibera is the largest slum in Africa.  It used to be the 2^nd largest but that is no longer the case.  We walk to  "Tunza Children Center". Diminah, a woman who has not attended school, cares for 235 children. She has a beautiful heart full of love for abandoned, orphaned and children who have been sold for labor. Her challenges are many.  Each day she trusts God to supply; food, clothes, medical care, volunteers and more space.

 

The children are loved, fed, clothed and given an education. They have a safe place to sleep.  They stay with her until they are old enough to step out on their own. No child is turned away.

 

It is hard to comprehend how someone can throw a baby in the trash or the toilet.  It is a big problem her in Africa.

 

I heard about a dog who found an abandoned baby.  He carried the baby back to his master.  The baby was taken to the hospital. She is doing good. They have given her the name of "Angel". The dog is well cared for now because of his kindness to this child.

 

While in Kibera we watch the sky.  Floods of water roll down into Kibera when it rains.  I'm told I might have to spend the night if I'm caught here in the rain.

 

Late afternoon brings open blue skis & sunshine. We walk the tracks out.

God Cares About The "One"

I thank God for the opportunity to speak at "The Lord Worship Center" in Kawangware Sunday morning. I spoke about God being an "Individual God".  He cares about the "one".

 

After the morning service we visited "individual" homes and prayed for many.

 

It was a good day in the Lord.  Most of all I thank Him for the "one" who accepted Jesus into her heart today.

 

Also on Saturday during the rains, one young mother asked Jesus into her heart.  She no longer has to pay money to a man to pray for her. She can use the money to buy her children food.

 

God still moves in the hearts even when the weather is bad.

Usable Water?

Click on picture for a larger view.

The Rains Are Here

The rains are here! I've learned the "short rains" do not mean

"short showers" but it means it will only last a couple months.

Yesterday, Saturday, we were visiting door to door in

Kawangware & the "short rains" moved in on us. It began

to "fall" hard and fast. They don't call it rain. They say

it is going to "fall". It did just that. I was completely soaked.

It is "falling" a lot lately, every day it "falls".

The power here is off a lot because of the rains. Generators are

being used in many areas.

The ground in Kawangware is a mess after it rains. It is muddy

and slippery. Each step is planned carefully as you feel the

earth grabbing to keep your shoes. Red mud is caked to everyone's

shoes. Puddles develop quickly as the clay like earth refuses

to let the rain down into the ground.

Women begin to gather water from the muddy diseased puddles.

Life becomes harder for the people of Kawangware .

They continue on.

Pastor Alfred & Pastor Shuls

A Time Past but Not Forgotten

Friday morning I attended a the Kawangware Pastors Fellowship. About 80-100 attended. It was a time of prayer, worship, learning & fellowship. The focus of the fellowship this year is to teach the pastors how to start a business and rise above their circumstances. With jobs along side of their church responsibilities they will be an example of how to care for their families. They would also be able to help others in a time of need. After lunch with the pastors we returned to house to house visitations.

I was greeted in the road & hugged tightly by a woman we had prayed for many days ago. She had asked God if he was not going to heal her to please take her home that day. That day was the day we prayed for her. Her lungs were not working properly & she had all she could do to catch a breath. God did heal her that day and her face is shining.

We visited a very small hospital in Kawangware. A young child under the age of one with malaria had been admitted. He doesn't move a muscle as we pray to for God to heal his body. We walk through an area of ruins. As I hear about the burning of homes that took place during the political uprising. I hear how no one dared to leave their home for weeks for fear of being killed. I hear how the roads were closed, no one traveled. They went without food for days. I visit with a young woman who lost her husband during this time of conflict to a stray bullet.

I hear how Pastor Alfred's 6 month old son dies because they can not get him to the hospital in time. Pastor Chris tells me how his church was surrounded by armed men. They all feared for their lives. They pray for God's protection together and begin to run from the church. God's hand saw them to safety.

A time past but not forgotten.

God's Love

My arms are brown.

My sneakers dirty.

My ankle socks will never

be white again.

I'm thinner now

than when I came.

I'm walking 20 miles a day

they say.

My diet has changed,

rice, kale, cabbage, potatoes,

bananas, carrots & tomatoes.

I don't complain.

God's love remains the same!

The roads are becoming familiar.

Tuesday I walked with Pastor Chris & Pastor Felix in Kawangware. I am starting to know my way around now. The path ways and roads are becoming familiar. I enjoy the door to door visits. We entered the home of the woman who accepted Jesus when I spoke at the crusade. She had been involved in the occult and suffered because of it. She told us that since we prayed she has had peace. Her eyes shine bright now. The confused and troubled look on her face is gone. Great work has been done all because of the name of Jesus.

There have been many babies born here in the last two weeks. I have had the pleasure to pray a blessing upon many of them. Some babies are given black bracelets to wear from the witch doctor. They wear these bracelets night & day because they think it brings protection.

We went into the Congo area and visited many homes and also a school. There are many people here who are controlled by substance abuse. Bars line the dusty dirty pathway. Men are passed out here & there with the hot sun beating down on them. You’ll see a bottle in their hand or close by.

I have seen many different kinds of food. Today someone was roasting chicken feet over an open fire. You will see the intestinal lining of cows and goats for sale. Sugar cane stalks are cut and chewed. Ugali is a favorite meal consisting of white corn meal (cooked like instant potatoes), with tomatoes boiled to a sauce for the top. Maybe some greens (something like kale) and sometimes goat or beef pieces.

One lady I met today was selling white grainy rocks at her stand. The rocks are small enough to hold two or three in your hand. Women who want to have a baby will eat these rocks. Once they are pregnant they will continue to eat the rocks until the baby is born.

Mohammad, a Muslim leader approached me today. He had been drinking. He started asking me questions. I knew immediately he was trying to trick me and the wrong answer would be used to cause trouble. He did not succeed. God is faithful.

We cross areas where the drainage runs deep and stepping stones will not work. In these areas they make little wooden foot bridges. As I step onto the bridge and look down between the cracks I silently pray “Lord please don’t let it break now”.

I met a man selling tooth brushes. He had made them out of branches the size of a writing pen. One end he frayed it a bit so that it would clean a wider area. He even gave me a demonstration.

Another little boy tried to sell me a puppy for 75 cents US. I have a soft heart for puppies but I don’t have any place for one here. It did make me think for a minute though. My husband will be happy to hear that the puppy is still in Kawangware.

Pastor Alfred’s little daughter, Rebecca, is almost 3. She is telling everyone that I am her “Aunt”. I guess I’ve been adopted into the family. Her love is beautiful.