Linda Gove Ministries Blog

The Place Of The Dogs

2012-01-20T08:50:00.032-05:00

January 17^th Tuesday

Kipsongo slum literally means the place of the dogs. Years ago some of the people from the Turkana tribe left their land because of famine. They were in search of a better place and a new life. Their plans were good but when they arrived to their new destination they were not accepted. They were pushed away from the village. The Turkana settled in an area of low land outside of the village area. Many of their homes are still built in the Turkana way but instead of branches from the desert palm to enclose their hut in, they use plastics and other items they find in the garbage.

I’ve been to Kipsongo many times but today I was invited to go further in with Joe & Theresa. As we drive the Kipsongo road there are piles of garbage here and there along the way. Very often you will see the older mama’s sitting in the midst of the garbage with their sac of treasures. There are days, when traveling this road, we will see them sleeping in the midst of the garbage.

As we find a safe place to park the car we have already been seen and the kids come running. Dirty clothes, runny noses, swollen bellies and big smiles! They all want acknowledgement, a touch, a hand shake, and sometimes a piece of candy.

We have some natives to walk with and they lead us down into the low lands. The dogs are sleeping through the heat of the day. Their skeleton structure speaks of the life they have here.

Home brew becomes a means for income for some and increases the problems within their community.

Charcoal pieces are rolled in the dirt and then dried in the sun to make it last longer. There are signs of sickness at every turn. A woman’s hut caught on fire while she was cooking inside. Her badly burnt arm healed without care. Now her arm is frozen in one position. An elder Turkana man sits on the ground with feet so swollen that he doesn’t walk. A twelve year old boy has pain in his joints and is visibly bloated.

We are approached with the needs that many carry: money for schooling, food and medicine.

Further in there is a rope between two poles with meat hanging off the rope. This is their market area and the meat is for sale. I don’t think I was expecting to see dog meat for sale but I completely understand. Hunger is painful.

There are so many needs and so much suffering.

Later in the afternoon Evans, my interpreter, and I traveled to Taito. In this area we have been meeting with a group of women. Many to these women are widows. We have one widow that is very sick and needs medical attention.

We travel door to door throughout the area and visit with them in their homes. We walked the dirt roads, the paths through the fields, stepped over fences and came face to face with a cow. It is country life here and people live off the earth. The soil is rich and their crops sustain them.

We met with some beautiful women. We visit with a grandmother in her 80’s and another tells us she is 98. Her heart was full of joy and bubbling over. She wears a cut that covers the side of her ear. There is nothing there now but years ago when she danced for the first president of Kenya her ear was full of large rings. She wore more jewels around her ankles. Both women remember the days of the colonists.

January 20, Friday

I’m often approached by the street kids when I go in town. “Linda” “Linda” rings like a song in my ear. When I turn to see who it is I am greeted with great big beautiful smiles from some of the dirtiest kids around. There is a little place that serves food in one of the alley ways that they love to go. It is a very big treat for them to sit down and eat a hot meal. They never forget to say thank you.

Last time we went to the orphanage to visit we were so encouraged. Little Linda from Kipsongo slum is doing so much better. She is showing signs of trust and smiling a lot more.

Isaiah 58:10 "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."

Christine Attacks

2012-01-18T13:32:00.019-05:00

January 15^th Sunday

Sunday’s are very special days and they are also very busy days. Today I spoke at the tent church in town. The music was joyful and the tent was full. A handmade Turkana basket is placed in the front of the church for the offering. Sitting up front I am in full view of the people. There are many I recognize, many I know by name and I have even been in the homes of some. My eyes fall on one of the widows from Kipsongo slums. She is a thin frail woman. I know that after the service she will return to the slums with little to eat and probably nothing for tomorrow. There are many dressed better than what she wears but it does not stop her from walking to the basket and giving what she has as worship to her God.

The temperature rises within the tent as the morning turns to noon day but no one offers to leave. As I’m speaking one of the older street boys enters and kneels in the center aisle near the back of the church.

At the end of the service I walk near the back and Sarah, Alice and another little street girl are there waiting for me with great big smiles. I give them hugs and share my water with the littlest of the three.

Selena the woman from Kispongo slums greets me in the Turkana way and then places a beaded necklace that she had made around my neck. She can’t speak one word of English but I knew from the smile on her face that it was a gift of love. With her finger she pointed to her heart than to mine.

I was hungry and I knew these three street girls were very hungry. Their faces were so excited when I told them that today we were going to have some chips.(fries) We sat together around the table and they each had the soda of their choice and a plate of chips. They ate and said thank you then they ate some more and said thank you again. They were very still and well behaved but the eyes of those around us were on them. Soon they wanted to know if they could take the rest in a bag for later and off they went but not until they said thank you one more time. They left full and very happy!

Later in the afternoon we traveled outside of Kitale just a short ways to Lessos. There is a boarding school in Lessos and we want to visit with a couple of the children. The road was dusty and donkeys grazed on the little patches of green grass beside the road. There were small stands along the way with bananas, cabbages, and tomatoes for sale. Once through the school gate we see that Sunday afternoon is set aside for washing clothes. The children, except for the very young ones, are expected to hand wash all of their own clothes.

January 16^th Monday

One must be very flexible because the day hardly ever goes as planned. Every day is different and you never know what problems you will face or who will cross your path. Today Joni and I had lunch with Christine.

Christine is from Kispsongo slums and has some serious health problems and other issues. She had a little boy that we rescued from the slums a couple years ago. She wasn’t caring for him and didn’t want him anymore. He is now in a good home.

As we sat around this small table outside she was visibly out of place but very quiet and not bothering anyone. She was just happy to see us and to also have some food. The guard came up to our table and said something in Swahili to her. All I could get was that he wanted her to eat fast and leave but he said a lot more than that. He didn’t speak English so he didn’t respond to any of our questions. After he finished speaking to Christine he went back to his post and his back was to us. Without a word Christine lunged from her chair and attacked him from the back. He of course is trained to defend himself and take control of the situation and that is what he did. He grabbed her arms and with a twist she went to the ground. Christine is thin as can be and her little body is curled up in a ball on the ground and he proceeds to kick her with his heavy boots. He is stopped and Christine takes off down the road with Joni running after her. She was bruised from being kicked but will be fine. I stayed behind to straighten out the details with the manager. Peace can turn into a volcano that is spitting fire within seconds here.

The rest of the day was rather peaceful!

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Planting Seeds

2012-01-17T01:54:00.043-05:00

January 1^st, 2012 Sunday

It is a new year but as I enter the tent church everything stills looks the same. There are piles of garbage to pass by before you get go through the tent doorway. Some of the garbage is burning because the people are cooking their food. Some of the garbage is being pawed through in hopes of finding something to eat or something of value. It isn’t an area restricted to just adults. Small children, toddlers and even babies are seen often in this area. It has become a community of the extremely poor and unwanted.

After the service Joni, a missionary friend of mine, and I have lunch together. There is a street guy here in town known as the “bag man” because he wraps himself in plastic store bags. He looks like he is wearing a goose down coat as he has so many bags tied on to him. He sees us and starts to come our way. This is a man that we avoid and we don’t encourage him to be near us. We go inside the building to avoid any confrontation. From the window we see him looking our way with a big evil smile upon his face. After some time he goes on his way.

January 2^nd Monday

The children at the orphanage will soon be going back to school but there is still time to play. We had story time, song time, walk and talk time and a very special time of trying different hair styles!

Seeds Children’s Home offers the very latest in hair styles. Great service too! I don’t know how many little hands went through my hair. The need to be touched and close to people is so alive within each one of the children. As we were leaving one of the older orphans, a 16 year old boy, came and very seriously asked if he could ask me a question. I hesitated a bit thinking maybe I should find a man for him to talk to. I saw the sincerity within his eyes and said sure you can. It was a question so far from my thoughts that I was still for a few seconds. The question was “Is Santa Claus real?”

By now the younger children were running up to join us so I said, “well the little ones think so.” I could see that he wasn’t reading between the lines and didn’t understand what I was trying to tell him. I also knew that this boy was on his way to boarding school and he was in for some heavy teasing if I didn’t tell him the truth. So I continued on with my answer, “Men don’t fly through the air, it is just a movie.” A smile came to his face. The next time he watches the DVD, which a visitor left for him, I think that he will relax and enjoy it more J

January 3^rd Tuesday

My morning almost always starts with a cup of hot tea. There are many mornings that I sit on the veranda and over look the mountain ranges in front of me. The mornings are beautiful and quiet but every so often the quiet cup of morning tea is interrupted with a monkey jumping up and down on the roof. He is a happy little guy and wants to be noticed.

The market is a busy place. There are piles of clothes, shoes, belts, and household items. There is also an area for food with fresh fruit, beans, rice and vegetables. It is yours for the price and the price goes up and down depending on their assessment of you. In the midst of the piles and the business of the people are little coverings where they also have hot tea and food for sale. Then there is a man or two that walks through the maze of things trying to sell his bottle of “cure all” medicine.

January 7^th Wednesday

So many have been blessed with Bibles and it is because of your giving hearts, thank you. While in Nairobi I was asked to speak in Sonton which is a couple hours ride outside the city. The church was started just a short time ago. Right now they have 12 members attending and not one of them has a Bible of their own. You have made it possible to present each one of them with a Bible in their own language. Now that they have Bibles they want to start meeting together during the week to study.

We haven’t seen rain for over a month now and the roads continue to roll dust into the air as we travel. The beautiful bushes beside the road now hold the red dust from the Kenyan soil. Feeling unwell and with an infection in my lungs the need to retreat from the irritation of the dust was evident. So a few days of rest at the lodge is needed. It is a beautiful place to rest and recharge.

January 14^th Thursday

We had a young girl crying outside our gate last night. The men went to see what was wrong and the women stayed inside as it could have been a set up. There could have been men with weapons waiting in the bushes on the other side of the gate and when the gate opens – you are faced with trouble.

She was very young and alone. She told them that she had been beaten by her husband and was trying to find her mother’s place. She didn’t recognize anything because it was dark and she was lost.
She was taken to the area that she told us she was looking for.

The truth comes out as we hear that she did the same thing at another gate last night. Here she asked for money to get to her mother’s place which now was much further away. So the crying woman at the gate turned out to be a scam.We have great protection at the lodge. We have soldiers on duty round the clock. It is expected that there is oil in the northwestern part of Kenya. The exploration for oil is well on its way and since October there have been caravan after caravan of equipment taken up into the northwest. Security, drivers, soldiers and workers have used the lodge as a stopping point.

After days here at the lodge I am ready to run again. I left the lodge at 7:30 am to make the 2 ½ hr trip up into the mountain. We traveled the first part of the trip in a matutu with a door that wouldn’t shut tight and it rattled all over as we dodged this pot hole and then the next. It is a constant swaying to the left and then to the right trying to avoid the enormous holes in the road. The road conditions never seem to slow the drivers down though. As we travel further out the road width lessens as it looks like big bites have been taken out of the side of the road. The road only allows one vehicle access at a time. The heavy rains and flood waters coming down from the mountain have washed both sides of the road away. Fields of sunflowers stand in their brilliance between us the mountain slopes. Our ride ends in Kimilli and from here we go the rest of the way by motorcycle. The roads are like a wash board and the constant up and down jarring makes one to be sure their tongue is touching the roof of their mouth.

There are 38 pastors and leaders in a small church waiting for us in Kapsokwony. Many have traveled a long distance to be here. The hosting pastor had been given a bicycle which he uses for the ministry. While speaking a young boy tried to steal it, however he was unsuccessful. The bicycle was brought inside with us for the remainder of the class.

We took a different route down the mountain. It was beautiful and mountain air was perfect. We were pulled stopped at one police check. With authority in his voice and a stern look the officer began to question me. Then very suddenly a big smile appeared on his face and he welcomed me to Kenya and told me to enjoy my stay. Further down the mountain we stopped in one small village. There were a few stores on each side of the road. It was an area where everyone stopped what they were doing and just looked! Some walked to the edge of the road and just stood there. The children gathered very quickly around me and were all giggles as I greeted them.

We stopped here for a few minutes to enjoy a soda and the children filled the door way. I encouraged them to gather closer and showed them the salvation bracelets I had in my back pack. Thomas interpreted for me and the gospel story went out. Some adults stood on the outskirts and kept their distance but they also listened as we spoke. All the children received a bracelet before we left and 8 of them accepted the Lord Jesus into their heart. Smiles, giggles, a touch from a white hand, a brief moment and a seed left in the sand.

Luke 8: 11 -15

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Hungry & Desperate

2012-01-09T11:17:00.013-05:00

December 29th Thursday

I woke to the happy singing of song birds as the sunrises over the mountain range in front of the lodge. It is a beautiful day and the sky is blue. It doesn’t take long for the sun’s rays to burn into the ground. As I walk toward town I open up my umbrella, not because of rain, but because the need for some shade was great. Soon I am approached by a motorcycle driver to see if I would like a ride. He brought a smile to my face. It had to be close to 90 degrees and he was wearing a big puffy winter jacket and it was zipped right up to the neck. Then he had a red scarf tied tightly around his neck and a knit hat on his head!

Joni, a missionary friend of mine, and I plan to go to the hospital today to be tested for TB. It is a test of precaution only. We have both been around people that have been diagnosed with TB. It is something that we frequently run into because of the slums and low income places that we visit.

December 30^th Friday

The vast blue sky of Africa is beautiful and with the summer season upon us it gets hot very fast. We return to the hospital for the second part of the TB test and then move on to other things.

We visit with a family that is caring for a little boy named “Peter.” Peter is Turkana and has a home in Turkana land up near the Sudan border. He wasn’t cared for and has slept many nights with hunger pains. He was desperate for help. So he tied himself underneath a bus and traveled that way for over 9 hours. The condition of the roads in this area is beyond description. It is a challenge for the best of the drivers. It is also a test of endurance for the passengers. This little boy was praying for a better life and some food! He took a chance that many youngsters are willing to take. He arrived in Kitale and after a few days and nights on the streets my friend, Joni, met him.

Some time has passed since then and he has been placed in a good home and he preparing to go to school. All necessary legal papers have been finished so that he has a home in the western parts of Kenya with a Pastor and his family.

Peter still needs a few more things before he will be ready for the first day of school. Sneakers and a back pack are a must for a boy his age. The back pack is empty but it doesn’t stop him from walking around the house with it on. What a happy guy he is!

December 31^st Saturday

I’m up early and prepared to speak to the women in the village of Zaire. They have set time a side for a conference just for themselves. I have never spoken in this area and agree to meet another pastor at 8 am in town and from there we will ride together. Being an American who is used to schedules and most of the time being on time, I arrived at 8 am. I know that Africans have a hard time being punctual so I waited patiently for some time. It was now 8:35 and I had not seen her or heard from her. I sent a quick text to let her know I was thinking about returning to the lodge. Within minutes my phone rang. She was still in bed and asked for 45 more minutes. The day begins with a challenge and a prayer to keep my heart flowing with love.

We drove through the slum area known as Mitisi and Twani and continued toward Mt. Elgon. The dust from the dry roads rolls into the car. We cover our heads with cloth and wrap it over our nose and mouth as a protection from the dusty air.

We drive off the road and through an open field. Mud huts are scattered here and there along the way. Children start to get excited as we pass them. A cow grazing in the field lifts his head and looks my way and then he jumps. I think I scared him!

The church sits in an open field surrounded by farm land. After being greeted we are invited inside the pastor’s home. We sit around a small coffee table for bread and tea while we getting to know one another a little better. The pastor has a question for me and the room is quiet, “Linda, what are your plans while here in Kenya?” My response came without thought, “To obey God.” It brought big smiles to their faces and laughter filled the room.

The conference was attended by about 50 women and several men came as well. They wanted to hear what the woman had to say. There was a time of openness and many questions were asked. Some women came with broken hearts, others with broken homes, and others longing for answers that others refuse to give. It amazes me that life goes on at a rapid rate and so many are left behind.

After speaking many came forward for a time of prayer.

The conference went late into the night but I knew that I could not stay that long. So after a full day and a meal of beans and rice I said good bye and headed back to the lodge. The New Year was not far away!

Ephesians 4:2-3

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Terror Alert and Ebola Scare

2012-01-07T12:39:00.034-05:00

December 22^nd Thursday

Christmas weekend will soon be here even without all the decorated trees, colored lights and neatly wrapped gifts with bows on top. The all night prayer service scheduled on Christmas Eve will not stop the Sunday morning service. The morning service open the day will be special songs, dancing and plays put on by the children.

Decorations and Christmas trees are not seen within the homes nor are they missed. It is a daily struggle to feed the family and a chicken served for dinner becomes a great treat for so many on Christmas day. So many will go without. Perhaps if one can afford the extra they will buy some cookies and a soda for their children but no one expects more.

One pastor said, “I wanted to give you a gift and I looked to my left and I had nothing. So I looked to my right and I had nothing. I have nothing that I can give you except prayer.”

Christmas this year will be spent in the slums of Nairobi. The bus leaves western Kenya early in the morning and almost 9 hours later it arrives in Nairobi. As I find my seat and settle in I open the daily newspaper. The headlines are in big bold letters. Nairobi is on high alert because of terror threats over the Christmas season. Rescue helicopters, hospitals and other emergency services were on standby.

There is visible increase of security on the city streets of Nairobi. Soldiers, police officers and specially trained security officers are guarding the streets and buildings of concern. There is now round the clock security surveillance.

Even though there is an alert, it is still Christmas. Here in the midst of bumper to bumper cars, buses, matatus and wall to wall people there is one very out of place camel! He is being led down the sidewalk with a red blanket over his back and a red hat on his head. It is Christmas in Nairobi!!

Before going to bed I checked the on line news to see if everything was peaceful in Nairobi. The updated report alerted all Kenyans that the fast killing and highly contagious Ebola virus was expected to be the cause for the death of a 29 year old woman early today here in Nairobi. Some had been quarantined already and specialist had been called in.

December 23^rd Friday

One of the leaders of the church met me at the compound and we traveled together into the slums. It was good to be back into an area that I knew so well. Japheth’s Bible had been stolen from him and he had longed for another. He is full of questions and has such a desire to learn more. He held his new Bible in his hands and began to express his thanks. With his eyes on the Bible he thanked me many times for his gift. What he has wanted for so long he has received. There is no doubt in my mind that the pages of this Bible will be read over and over again. Thank you everyone for making this gift and so many like it possible.

There were many homes to visit and so many in need of prayer. Door after door was opened to us. There is such suffering and rejection here that a just a short visit along with prayer and words of encouragement can make them sing all day.

It was so good to be able to visit with Jackie in her home. She has been a dear friend of mine for many years. She radiates the love of Jesus even though living in the slums of Nairobi brings many struggles and hardships into her life.

We sat together in Fred’s home and met his wife and sister. They were preparing the staple meal that most Kenyan’s love “ugali” or corn meal. They were hungry but Fred was hungry for more than physical food and before we left his home he asked Jesus into his heart!

The sun was hot and the streets of the slums were dusty. The smells from the piles of garbage and the running brooks of raw sewage intensify under the rising temperature of hot sun of Africa.

Our eyes are scanning the crowds of people is search of the Pastor. He has returned from the hospital and is free to join us now. His brother in law was robbed and beaten up at the bus station. He has a broken leg, cuts and bruises but is expected to recover.

Pastor Chris himself is also recovery from an overnight stay in the hospital as he had a very serious attack of malaria.

Life here is full of struggles and challenges in an atmosphere of defeat. As so many from the church will say, “We live in the slum but the slum is not in us.”

The sun has started to weaken although it is still very hot but we know that night will soon enter the land. It is time for me to leave.

Before the night was over I would learn that around noon time the Kenyan government released a notice that they had ruled out Ebola as the cause of death for the 29 year old woman who died here in Nairobi Thursday morning.

December 25, 2011 Sunday

The overcrowded busy roads of Nairobi are quiet today. It is even takes us longer to find a matatu to take us to the entrance of the slums. We walk through the area known as the Congo area, a place of much home brew. The road way here has gotten smaller as the garbage is taking over the walk way. It is not uncommon to see someone sleeping on the ground in the midst of the smells and waste of a forgotten land.

Children run to us and many hands are outstretched to greet us along the way. The church area is fenced off with mixed matched pieces of metal sheets. They are uneven, ragged and the opening here and there gives access for the children to view what is happening on the other side.

The women have already started preparing the Christmas lunch that will be served today after the service. There will be rice with small pieces of beef in tomato sauce to put on top, greens and Irish potatoes. It will be a meal that all will enjoy. The children will have an extra treat of cookies and orange punch. It is something that they don’t have unless it is a very special celebration.

The children quickly find their seat as they are excited about the new chairs bought just for them and the school children taught in the church building during the week.

The women work all morning. They carry in jugs of water for cooking and washing. Cans of charcoal have to be bought in order to cook the rice and meat. Then there is the struggle to keep everything warm while the one little charcoal burner is used to cook something else.

Everyone welcomed in Christmas with much praise and singing. A tambourine from the USA was seen raised high in the air as Jackie praised her God. The microphones squealed as the volume went higher and higher. It was time to celebrate and give thanks.

Quietness took over as I began to speak, I even put the microphone aside so that the words I spoke would be clearer and easier to understand. As I looked into the eyes of those that were before me I could see them waiting for the next word that I would speak. The hunger here for more is huge. Two men came forward at the end of the service and asked Jesus into their heart. We thank God for giving us exactly what we need, His son, Jesus.

A wonderful hot meal was ready and served to us while we watched the Jesus movie in the afternoon. We had found a small TV and a DVD player and carried it into church. It was placed on a high stand so that all could see it. Today no one would go home without food in their stomach; no one would go to sleep hungry tonight.

December 28^th, Wednesday

Christmas night ushered in more rains into the Nairobi area. They have continued throughout the night and even into today’s early hours. With the rains come power outages and it has been out since Christmas night.

Our plans changed with the wet weather but we continued on with the goal of getting some orphan babies off the floor and into a crib. Evelyn lives in the slums and has a very big heart. Her room might be small but it is full of babies that need love and care. Some have been sleeping on mats on the floor. Soon there will be another crib to set beside the two she already has. It will give nine more babies a comfortable and safe place to sleep.

Pastor Joseph, Gladys and their daughter Grace also came and spent some time with me at the compound. We have worked together ministering to the street boys and girls. They just recently baptized 12 street boys!

Juma a man that has grown up on the streets of Nairobi now houses those that want to change their life style. Last time I was here I visited with Juma and those living with him. Twelve of them accepted Jesus into their heart. I’m told that this group has grown strong and is doing well. They have now left and stepped out on their own and new street kids have come. Juma is working with his second group now in a small one room house with a dirt floor in the ghetto.

So I entered Nairobi with the bad news of terror alerts and Ebola confronting me but today I leave with my heart full of good news of how Jesus Christ changes the hearts of men and women.

As the bus rolls towards the mountains of the western Kenya I gaze at the beauty before me. Zebras run beside the bus, groups of gazelles fill the open fields, baboons line up beside the road and of course we slow down now and then for the cows, sheep and goats that want to cross in front of us.

A special thank you to all who help us meet the many needs of the people here in Africa. May God bless you.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Kenyan hotels, malls on alert over terror strike fears

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Kenyan+hotels+malls+on+alert+over+terror+strike+fears++/-/1056/1293732/-/j6pdxoz/-/index.html

Ebola fear strikes Kenya

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000048812&catid=4&a=1

Widows, Dancing, Tears

2012-01-07T03:33:00.015-05:00

December 10^th Saturday I've just returned from Turkana land, a very different world. It is like stepping off the edge of this world into something totally beyond what you can think. A step back into a time that most people think has been lost but it is very real and in a very hot climate.

I’ve returned to the lodge at the base of Mt. Elgon. The sleepless hot nights of Turkana land are no longer an issue. The mountain air is welcomed and although the days can bring intense heat from the summer sun the night’s air is cool and refreshing.

Saturdays in December become the wedding day for many. Today I have been invited to two weddings. We start off early as the wedding we are attending begins at 9 am. On the way to the village of Liyavo we have a flat tire and it is as flat as it can be. No problem though because we have a spare fastened up under the car. Yes, you’re right. The spare was flat too! Of course we were late to the wedding but it is Africa and here schedules really aren’t important. It was around 10 when we arrived and you could hear the music from all around. People were still coming and no one seemed to be in a hurry. There was absolutely no evidence of a bride, a bridegroom or a wedding party. Eleven o’clock came and went and still the wedding party was missing. At twelve most of the seats were taken and the music was still in full volume but the wedding party was still missing. It was at this noon day hour that we made our exit, disappointed of course that we did not get to see the bride and groom. The story has it that they did arrive but not until 1 in the afternoon. The ways of a different land!

December 15th Thursday

I traveled with my interpreter to Taito. Here in the village the widows gather once a week. They usually rotate from house to house for their meetings. These widows have lost their husbands primarily due to AIDS. We have a good Bible Study and then a time of prayer for those with special requests. Hot tea is served and then we gather outside to see the baby chicks. The women here are trying to raise some chickens for added income.

Taito is out in the country and has very fertile ground for planting. Evans, my interpreter, is using a piece of land out this way for his garden. He informs me it is just a “short walk” and wants to know if we have time to check it. “A short walk” in Africa is not what you and I would call short. I was so glad that I had my sneakers on!

December 16^th Friday

We spent the morning with the children at the orphanage. My goal is to continue to pour love into little 8 year old Linda. She has been hiding with terror in her eyes when men are close by. There are times she sits all alone while the other children are playing.

In the afternoon we travel to the other side of Kitale into the Kipsongo slums. Kipsongo means “The place of the dogs.” We aren’t traveling alone though; we have a couple live chickens in the back. It is a gift to some of the widows living inside the slums.

We step into the home of Jessica, Margaret and Mary, three Turkana widows that live together. Margaret is the older and is resting on her bed because of pain. They are delighted to have us visit. They don’t speak or understand English or Swahili. They only understand Turkana and the Turkana ways.

I had just returned from Turkana land in the north western part of Kenya. As the interpreter shared my words with the ladies Margaret starts to come to life and she sits up in bed. Someone was talking about her homeland a place she probably would never return to.

I shared some of my experiences and told them of my love for her people. Then I took her hand and started to do the Turkana dance with her. With the left shoulder tilted in and then the right, which means I love you. This elderly, frail woman with pain throughout her body came alive and started to give me the dance motions back. She held her head in the high and elegant Turkana way and began to dance with me, still sitting, but the moves were perfect. Tears started to fill one of the other widow’s eyes. We left that day knowing that we had touched the hearts of three women far from their home land. I was later told that they had never seen Margaret as happy as she was that day.

December 18^th Sunday

I returned to Liyavo as Elvis had invited me to his church. I was given a seat in the very front. The pulpit was made of something that gave a reflection so even though I was up front I could see what was going on up back. As we sang I noticed that the door way was very busy and the people continued to come.

Then my heart broke as I watched a grown woman crawl up over the church steps and up the aisle. Then slowly she pulled herself up into the seat. The desire to be in God’s house to worship Him was so strong that she was willing to crawl into church. She knew that people would stare at her. She knew that it would take almost all of her strength to make it to her seat. She still came and glorified her God.

The afternoon was spent with Elvis and his family. He is one of seven boys and has a beautiful wife and a baby girl named Selena. His grandmother, one of seven wives, also joined us.

December 20^th Tuesday

The street children greet me as I walk through town and they are always hungry. They very seldom ask me for money just food. I try to carry a loaf of bread in my back pack now as I know that before the day is out someone that I meet will be hungry. Whenever the bread is passed out the street children seem to multiply. They come out of nowhere and within minutes we have a good size group.

They know they are not welcome within the store and each store has a guard at the door to chase them away. So they wait patiently for you to exit knowing that you will have something for them to eat.

Today one of the older boys wanted to show his appreciation and decide to stop traffic for us. He wanted to make sure that we could pull out into traffic without any problems. He is in his dirty and torn clothes standing in the middle of the road like a police officer stopping all the traffic. It was his gift of love back to us.

December 21 Wednesday

With the seasons changing the rains are behind us and dust takes over. The bushes beside the road are covered in the red dust of Kenya. Once we are past the prison the road narrows and the bushes touch both sides of the car as we travel. Today we are helping the orphans work on a play for the Christmas service

Afterwards they are given a special treat, a pop for each hand!

December is the month for boys within the proper age range to pass into manhood. It is the time of circumcision. Today several are walking through the field with their faces and bodies painted in white. Later they will walk in sack cloth and ashes. The tribal traditions still run very strong in many areas.

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

A Monkey On My Skirt

2011-12-13T12:32:00.028-05:00

December 8^th, It has been a good week and it isn’t over. There is still more to come! As a child I dreamed of one day having my very own monkey. I was and still am an animal lover.

As I was leaving the dining area this week I noticed one of the baby monkeys close by. I thought this would be a great opportunity for a photo. I set my camera case down and got my camera ready.

As I was waiting for just the right shot the monkey continued to come closer. Closer was not really the best way to described what happened next. He went from the ground to the table and then over to my camera case. He didn’t care that I didn’t look like his mom and proceed to jump on me and hang off my skirt. I had the camera in my hand so I proceeded to take a few pictures.

Then I saw his teeth as they went into my skirt in order to give him more leverage. Teeth in my skirt are o.k. but would he know to stop when he hit flesh! I thought it would be best to get him off me at this point. I tried to shake him off my skirt but he held on tighter. I think he thought I was playing with him and it appeared that he was enjoying himself. He would hit the ground now and then but jump right back on my skirt! I think I would still be shaking him off my skirt if someone hadn’t come to my rescue. This little guy didn’t give up though he tried again a day or two later to swing off my skirt and he succeeded!

Ninety percent of the people here in Turkana are illiterate. Even if some are given an opportunity for schooling they might turn it down. They believe their wealth is in their herds. If a man has many goats, sheep, cattle or camels he thinks books and schooling is a waste of time.

Today we will go behind Napetet village near the river to the area of government land. It has become the slum area of the Turkana. Throughout the years many Turkana have left this land looking for a better life and settled in other areas. At the time of the post election violence they were pushed from their homes. They came from I D P cames and returned to their ancestors land here in Turkana. They had nothing with them and were given this land to use. You will not find clean water here or toilets. It has become a place of discouragement, disease, misery, and a life without hope for many.

We visited with the sick and then had the children that were close by gather under the tree so that I could talk with them. I shared the gospel story with them and used the salvation bracelet made with five colored beads as a visual. Others around us quietly listened as well. At the end twelve of these children wanted to ask Jesus into their heart. Each child was given a bracelet so that they would always remember what Jesus had done for them. (Thank you Calvin Gray and all of those that helped make salvation bracelets to be used here in Africa. They are a tremendous help in sharing the word of God.)

We continued to visit those here in the slums. Elizabeth was weak with malaria and resting on her mat. She had been ill for a few days and needed to have care. We used the motorcycle to take her to the clinic as she could not walk any distance. Elizabeth was treated for malaria and a lung infection.

The day has been full and it is time to say our goodbyes as I leave tomorrow. There is much to be thankful for and much to pray about. I’ve kept very busy this week and accomplished a lot but there was still one pastor that I hadn’t seen. I made a quick call and he was on his way to meet me.

December 9^th, I finished packing early and had more time to spend with Pastor Isaac and his wife before my flight. We visited for a while outside his wife’s business in town. Someone passing by recognized me and called another pastor to tell him where I was. Even though this pastor had said goodbye to me yesterday I knew that his joining us was God’s timing. The two pastors got to meet each other and the younger pastor was introduced to a Bible school program held her in Lodwar. He agreed that he would attend and a new friendship between the two pastors has been started. The Lord knows our heart and He knows exactly what we need.

Pastor Isaac and his wife are in the process of obtaining a partially built building. It will soon be used for all of their church services.

Many times I have been approached with, remember me? You gave me a Bible last time you were here. They are still thankful for the gift. When I arrived at St Theresa’s Guest House one of the cleaning girls thought she recognized me. She went to the register and checked for my name, and then she came and thanked me over and over again for her Bible. In town a man stopped me and said he was my taxi driver last time I was here. He didn’t have a Bible and I gave him one. He is still very thankful. You have helped get the word of God into many hands and hearts. Thank you

I had a good flight and returned to Kitale safely. I thank you for your continued prayers for my health, safety and God's leading.

Nairobi Star Oct 28,2011 Seventeen foreigners are being held by police in Turkana on suspicion of being link to al Shabaab. Most of the suspects were taken out of buses some hid in luggage cabins of the buses.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201110310114.html

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
John 11:25-26
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live,
even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?"

Over One Thousand Pounds Of Food

2011-12-13T02:11:00.025-05:00

December 7^th, We have rented a heavy duty vehicle and will be traveling into the interior parts of the Turkana land. Yesterday, in the afternoon, we did all the planning and preparation so that 7 sacks of maize (1,390 lbs) would be ready for us to load this morning along with small bags of salt and cooking fat. Four of the sacks would be left with different villages along the way and three would be taken out closer to the Uganda border.

The Chief will be traveling with us today. As he has told me in the past, “He is the government here; no one will bother me when he is around.” The back of the vehicle is full with sacks and people it is the African way. If you are going the same direction, they don’t mind a little inconvenience. The dust in the face and the continual jolting of the body’s bone structure doesn’t stop anyone. There is always room for one more! Sure enough they live true to their word and along the way we stopped for one more who was walking.

The sun is bright and the sky blue. The rains have blessed the land in this area and green grass and flowers have sprung up from the brown desert soil. The acacia trees now give way to a little shade beneath them. There are many vast wash outs along the way and we cross through several of them. During the rains the mountain ranges around turn these areas in rushing rivers but now they are dry and dusty.

The camels run in front of us and others continue eating without a care. They are scattered in groups along the way. Donkeys, goats, sheep and cows show us that life is around. The marked trail that we are following soon disappears, now you must know your way. There are no roads or tire marks to be seen just mountain ranges ahead and those that we are leaving behind.

Now and then a herd of goats will run in front of us and in the midst will be a young boy with a wrap tied at his neck and staff in his hand.

There isn’t any evidence of running water to be seen. The rains have stopped and the seasons have changed. This area will soon see the shades of green disappear before their eyes.

We arrive at a small church far from the traveled roads, running water, and electricity. We are even far from flashlights, bottled water and generators. We have stopped in the midst of a settlement and there are Turkana style huts all around us. Even though the Pokot and Turkana continue to battle over cattle and land it is not a hostile area. The word is out, we have arrived and everyone is glad to see us. They start to gather inside a small metal sided and metal roof church.

I have traveled into this area three times now and I am known by the natives. The elder mama stands, her body worn by the hard life and harsh sun that Turkana land brings. She walks toward me and grabs me tightly and hugs on me for what seemed like minutes. With authority, that now is hers, she speaks and pauses so that it may be interpreted for me. She welcomes me and thanks me for coming, for returning and not forgetting them. She invites me to stay here with them and live with them. She tells me that it is a good life and a good land. Then there is a promise that if I will stay that everyone will protect me, no harm will come to me.

The Chief also speaks and thanks me for coming back. He welcomes me to return over and over again. He wants me to return and to bring the same spirit with me which I carry now.

There is singing and dancing, jumping straight up and down. Your age does not prevent you from joining in. Believe me they can jump high and dance long even with a metal roof over their heads in the midst of the desert. The worn hands of the elder mama clasp onto mine and into the center we go to join the others. Many times during the dance the mamas will bend forward with one shoulder toward you. It is their way of saying “I love you.”

People continued to come and we didn’t have any more room inside. They were sitting and standing on the outside of the church. We stopped our service and moved everyone outside under a clump of small acacia trees. Acacia trees don’t have but large leaves but what they did have felt like heaven. Even though it was close to 100 degrees it was much cooler outside than in the church. Everyone was happy to be together.

There was silence as I spoke and I knew that my words were feeding them. The women were sitting all together on one side of me the men on the other. There were babies and little children and all were quiet. At the end 5 people stood to their feet and asked Jesus into their heart. It was a day of rejoicing in the heavens above and in the middle of hot and dry land.

One of the elder men then asked for prayer as he was sick and others followed.

The sacks of maize along with salt and cooking fat were brought out into the open and set up for distribution. The people were put into groups in order to keep things under control. One group at a time was allowed to go for their portion. They came with whatever they could find to carry their maize home in. Some had a plastic shopping bag that had been used over and over again. Others came with a bucket or just a piece of cloth. Person after person received something to take home to help fill the void.

We were near the bottom of the sack and the people were still lined up. I would look at the sack and then look at the number of people left and pray that we would have enough for everyone. Everyone had waited in line very peacefully and in order until the very end. The people at the end of the line could see what I was seeing, we were getting very low on maize. We had gone through almost 600 pounds of maize here. The last few in line forgot all the rules and made a rush on the sack of maize that was left . With the elder mama on the sidelines everything was back in control soon and yes there was enough for everyone. (Thank you again for your generous giving and for making it possible give relief food to many.)

If the day were to end now I would say with great joy in my heart that it was a good day, but we are not ready to leave yet. There is a baptism service to perform. I was asked if I would go to the river and baptize those that needed to be baptized, including those that just accepted Jesus into their heart. It was an honor to be asked and I longed to do it. Quickly my mind reflected back onto what the foreign travel doctors had told me in the states about avoiding such water because of parasites. I asked the natives about snakes and crocodiles that might be near or in the water. They assured me there were none. I knew that probably they were stretching the truth on that one! I was given the name of the river “Kabil,” it meant nothing to me. Earlier in the week I had also talked over this issue with a missionary friend of mine. I wanted to get her thoughts on it.

I agreed to do the baptism. I would prepare for the baptism but they needed to understand that after seeing the condition of the river I might say no. I was told it was a short walk and I knew that a short walk to them would not be a short walk to me especially in this type of heat. They walked and I had my driver take me there. I knew that the only privacy I was going to have was inside this vehicle. I began to prepare for the baptism. The foreign travel doctor told me that if I ever did a baptism to cover my body with Vaseline, at least the parts that would be in the water. So off came the sneakers and in the intense heat I began to rub Vaseline on my legs up to mid thigh and all over my arms. It is a way of sealing the body so that the microscopic size parasites couldn't enter your body. I even put it on heavier than most people because I wanted to be sure I stayed healthy. I finished just in time, just as we rode up onto this knoll and that overlooked a group of people gathered around some water.

My heart sank. It wasn’t a flowing river, it wasn’t even a river! It was a small dug out area that had captured some rain water. It was an over sized mud puddle! It was dirty and even though it was only knee deep you couldn’t see the bottom. The water was stagnant with green algae growing on top. I shook my head and told the driver they are going to be disappointed but I am not going in that water. It probably had been used for everyone in the area to bathe in plus all the animals probably had used it and walked through it as well.

The baptism was beautiful and I stood on the side lines covered in Vaseline with the hot desert sun shining on me. I was very happy to get back to my room and have a cold shower!

It had been a great day with memories that will make me laugh now and in the days ahead.

"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Prov 22:9

"You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.…….. Isaiah 25:4

Many Hands Reach My Way

2011-12-12T12:33:00.005-05:00

December 6, 2011 The days are hot but one keeps on going on. Then the nights come and even though the sun sets the heat of day remains at a level that makes it extremely hard to sleep through the night. The night lets the sun slip away and the stars of the night take over. It is impossible to be here and not take note of the malaria carrying mosquitoes. They are small and quiet but bold and relentless. Nights are spent under the net above the bed.

The morning sounds are many. The birds have also found this oasis in the desert. Desert palms with their cluster of fruit are found among the many shade trees here. Monkeys also enjoy jumping from limb to limb.

Another service is schedule for today on the other side of Lodwar in a village called Napetet. The chief joins us today along with many others.

The church is small and overflowing but it doesn’t stop them from jumping and dancing to the songs they sing. When one of women takes my hand I know that I am to join them in this time of celebration.

Bibles and reading glasses were also given to those here in Napetet. It is such a blessing to be able to pass out so many Bibles. A special thank you is sent to all of you who made this possible.

Psalm 100 : 1 -3 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Walking With Camels

2011-12-12T08:57:00.008-05:00

December 4^th It was Sunday and I was on my way to a small village just outside of town. I had been to Nakwamekwi before. We had built a 25 x 50 church there to replace the grass hut church the people were meeting in and had also out grown.

As we rode through the gate of the compound to the outside there was a group of children waiting to view the guests as they rode by. Many wait here in hopes of a hand out. Everything looked very much the same although the condition of the dirt roads had worsened. Along the way little ones would cry out “muzungu” and try to run beside us.

The mountain side cult, Legions of Mary, seemed to be expanding with more evidence of their communal village around there prayer center. They are a break off of the Roman Catholic Religion and still use many of the same symbols only in much larger size. They believe the larger the symbol the more powers will be available to them. This tradition and belief stems from the Luo tribe. Mediums are used to deal with the spirit world. Here in Lodwar and other areas they will be seen in robes of purple, yellow and other colors. There are times you will see them climbing the mountain to pray.

The sun is already hot and the dust of the road rolls behind us. The roads are busy with people walking here and there. The women walk with loads upon their heads and a baby tied to their back. The hard lines of the sun are ironed into their faces. Goats and sheep run freely through the roads with a shepherd close by. His whistle tells them which way to turn. A smile comes to my face when I see a man walking with a rope around his young camel’s neck. Sure, I understand the pleasure that walking your dog can bring, but a camel!

The children are seated at the front of the church. The drum has started beating and they are already singing. Visitors have come to join in with the regular church members as well. The cross made by the late Noel Hastings is still attached to the timber in the front of the church and the large cross on top of the roof made by my husband still stands strong. It lets everyone know that they have a place to come together in to worship the Lord.

After the service many were given a Bible. They no longer have to share one and go without.

December 5^th, Even though it is Monday there will still be a service today, in fact there will be two. One service in the morning and after a short rest we will continue to the second service to be held around 3 in the afternoon.

The motorcycle could be heard finding its way through the maze of huts. The children started gathering before we even arrived at the church. I could see the excitement in their faces. It was a special day for everyone. The grass hut church with mats attached to the sides was full. Some people had gathered outside under a tree and were resting on their mats that they had carried with them.

The happy sounds of praise filled the church as well as the area around. I found my place inside and so did the children. They were happy to sit on the dirt floor right up front. They didn’t want to miss anything and I do believe that every eye was on me.

Again after the service there was a time of giving Bibles to those that needed one. The pastor commented on the need and appreciation for such a gift. Many here never have the opportunity to own their own Bible. You will often see a church with one Bible only. This Bible is shared amongst everyone and they fear to let it leave the church as they might never see it again.

At the end of the service all the children were running in and out of the church. They were all as happy as could be except for one. He was resting on the dirt floor because he was sick and they brought him to me for prayer. I could not believe how high his fever was when I placed my hand on his face. We prayed and then hired a vehicle to take this weak little one to the hospital. His malaria count was extremely high and they immediately started giving him injections to bring it down. Stephen is now feeling much better.

Turkana are known for their basket weaving. The art has been passed down for many generations. Before leaving here today the ladies presented me with beautiful baskets that they had made. It is a gift of much labor and love.

After a short rest from the heat of the noon day sun we traveled out further to Pastor Peter’s church. He has many orphans and widows in his church. The widows are hard workers and are very dedicated to their church. They have worked and saved a great deal in order that the church could have a metal roof. They also love to dance as they sing and when a white woman joins in with them the place fills with joy.

Again because of the generous giving of those of you at home we were able to give out Bibles in three different languages. It is a gift that will be treasured. Thank you

Psalms 119: 105 “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

The Turkana Tribe

2011-12-11T09:59:00.013-05:00

December 3^rd

Saturday morning the sun was shining bright and I was delighted to have a nice day. Today I would be taking a small plane and flying into the northwestern part of Kenya to the Turkana land.

The Turkana tribe lives in the northwestern part of Kenya near the Sudan border, in the Rift Valley Province. They are a nomadic pastoralist people and have continued to live the same way as generations before them have lived.

They move from place to place trying to find water and better pasture land for their herds to graze on. The traditional way for a Turkana man to have a wife is to buy her. The payment for a wife will be many cows, goats, camels or sheep. A man can have as many wives as he can afford. They celebrate with a ceremony but are not thought to be married until their first child begins to walk. Their god is called “Akuj.” They believe he is the god of the heaven and the stars. They usually only called out to him in times of great need such as lack of rain. Some will pray to Akuj directly and others will pray through the spirits of those that have died before them. There will be times of animal sacrifices during the seasons of no rain to try to please their god.

According to the way African time runs I expected that the plane would leave late but today I was surprised as we were in the air ten minutes early. Even in the little airport in the middle of a corn patch, outside of Kitale, there is notable evidence of increased security.

Once I stepped through the doorway of the plane I knew that I was leaving the gentle breezes of the day and the cool nights behind me. This being my third time to visit the Turkana tribe I am very much aware of the intense burning rays of the desert sun that waits for me.

The views beneath me change rapidly as we head north. The rich red earth of Kitale and the areas around it turn to green mountains. There is evidence of flooding and vast amounts of earth being washed away. The green forest areas are then taken over by the vast region of dry earth cracked by the heat of the sun. As far as one can see there is nothing but desert soil.

As we start our descent for landing the earth gives way to small villages here and there blending in to the earth tones below. I have arrived to a place and time still living the life of many generations ago yet in a world that is moving forward rapidly.

As I step off the plane I'm greeted by the heat of the day. Pastor Florence is there in the traditional colorful clothing and beaded jewelry is layered up her neck. Other pastors are there as well, Pastor Benjamin, Pastor Simon, Gabriel and friends. They all came to give a welcome to their home, the land of the Turkana.

Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

A Prayer of Thanks

2011-12-04T09:31:00.024-05:00

November 30^th Wednesday I went to Seeds Children’s Home an orphanage in the countryside just outside of Kitale town. Once the vehicle stops there is a rush for my hand. I have two struggling for one hand another tugging on my skirt and one child warding off anyone that comes close to the hand he is holding.

They are eager to show off the painted walls on the inside of the orphanage. Animal figurines have been hand painted on the dining room walls and in the hall ways to their rooms. There is evidence that they also helped on some of them! There are a few more beds today as new children have arrived.

My goal today is to make a new friend. One of the new girls is named Linda. She is about 8 years old and very unhappy. She does not want to be close to any men. It took some time but slowly by slowly she came toward the group of us as we played toss. The smiles were withheld for some time but they were found hidden under the secrets of the past. Before goodbyes were said Linda was nestled in at my side enjoying the hugs and protection that every child should receive but so many do not.

After leaving the orphanage we stop to visit Ella at the hospital. It makes one realize how blessed we are in America. Today she had more color in her face and there was talk of having her sit in a chair later on. Her surgery went well and the discharge date is looking like Saturday.

The weather pattern here in western Kenya is very different this year. The short rains usually end in October and then they move into their summer season. The rains have not ended yet, in fact they continue to be heavier and bring hours upon hours of heavy rain. The electricity is off more than it is on.

The rains have also brought the snakes out into the open more. Just a short distance from the lodge a big black snake, believed to be a forest cobra, was seen crossing the road. Pastor Titus had a green mamba in his house which is no longer a threat to anyone. Another black snake was seen by the school. Near an orphanage a ways outside of town they have seen two very large black mambas. One is over six feet long. Here at the lodge there was a snake inside one of the houses out back.

December 2, Friday I traveled into Kipsongo slums to help serve the children lunch at the Bread of Life Feeding Station. Everyday there is a free meal for any child that comes into the feeding station. It is a great opportunity to get to know the children and find out if they need any emergency care.

The big pots were boiling with beans and corn for hours before the children arrive. Serving such a meal takes many hours as the sacs of beans have to be handpicked to make sure all the little stones are removed. It is a job that never ends. The ladies in the kitchen told me it doesn’t bother them because it is a job that God placed in their heart to do.

The plates are ready and lined up in piles before the children enter the gate. There are many little ones but all ages come. They pray over the food with such sincerity and most remember to say thank you

Children are not the only ones that benefit from this meal. Outside are two widows from the slums. Margaret is the older the one. Neither of them speaks English or Swahili. They only speak their mother tongue which is Turkana. They live here in the slums with another widow named Jessica. Jessica is one of the cooks for the feeding station. She is a faithful worker and loves to care for others.

1 Chronicles 29:13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

Pray For Ella

2011-11-30T14:23:00.005-05:00

November 27, 2011 Sunday

I met Pastor Winnie at the women’s conference this past week. She invited me to come and share at her church. Presently Calvary Celebration Church is meeting in a rented building but they have already taken steps to have a place of their own. Eight years ago Pastor Winnie started the church with 15 children and 11 adults. The church now seats 500 and it was full. One section of the church was reserved just for the youth to sit in so they could join us in worship before they left for their service.

After the service the visitors were asked to remain for tea and a biscuit so that the Pastor could greet them for a few minutes and collect contact information.

November 29, 2011 Tuesday

Ella, a friend, of mine from Sweden had emergency surgery last night. There was talk of a medical air rescue for her. However, a surgeon was called in from Nakuru, which is a four hour drive. He came immediately and her surgery was performed here in Kitale. She had a strangulated ovary and gangrene had set in. We are very thankful to have Doc Cathy here at St. Raphael’s Clinic in Mitisi just outside of Kitale. She was trained in NY as a nurse practitioner and was able to diagnose Ella’s condition.

Please pray that she will recover quickly without complications or infections. Hospitals here are not up to date like those you might be used to. It is like stepping back in time, way back. She doesn’t have a nurse to care for her. It is up to each patient to have a friend or family member come in to watch over you. Also pray for her family in Sweden. It is very hard for her parents being so far away.

Isaiah 40:11

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Take Me Home With You

2011-11-26T09:59:00.007-05:00

November 21, Monday, we went to visit a newborn baby girl named “Selena.” Elvis and Stella are very happy parents and we are very pleased that both Mom and baby are doing fine. Selena was born on Sunday afternoon and has already brought much joy into the lives of Elvis’ family. Being the only girl she will be cared for and protected by her many uncles.

Elvis and Stella had lost a little girl on my last trip here. It is good to see smiles upon their faces and rejoicing in their hearts.

The hospital was packed and there were people sleeping outside on the ground as they waited. There were noticeably long lines here and there as we found our way to the maternity ward. The maternity ward followed suit. It was packed. There were about eight single beds in a section with two mamas and their newborn babies sharing a bed. They didn’t have any sheets or blankets unless a family member supplied one for them. The room was open without any pull curtains for privacy. If a mama was to have any care a family member had to volunteer to sit with her through this time. The father is only allowed in when visiting hours are open. I doubt that there is much sleep or even a time to rest with so many newborns in one room.

November 23, Wednesday, we started a five day women’s conference at the tent in Kitale. After speaking I walked up back for a while to be near the door. I walked back and forth in the back as they went into a time of praise and worship. The music was at the level where they like it, which is loud. Above the music I thought I could hear screaming. I looked outside into the area where the street children and adults have a little community of their own. They go through the garbage here, sleep in it, eat from it and start fires in it to warm them. It is known as their territory.

The screaming continued and my eyes fell upon a young child on the ground all curled up in a ball with his arms protecting his head. A tall woman with a handmade whip in her hand was standing over him. It appeared to be made out of an old tire. There were on lookers with smiles on their faces being entertained by this boy’s pain. She disappeared to the other side when she saw me.

We had the boy come closer to the tent and we sat with him for a while until he stopped sobbing. Once he could talk he told us he was ok and that the woman was not his mother but a neighbor. A young friend of his came over and joined him. I thought it was a he but he turned out to be “Sara.” Both were hungry so they enjoyed some food and a soda for awhile before going their way. Alex and Sara were both dirty, hungry, and it was apparent that they lived in filth but they still remembered to say, thank you.I figured I would see them in a couple days. Street children know who will feed them and they watch for you to come into town. They surprised me though. An hour or so later they found their way back to the tent, came inside, and sat down beside me. Many eyes were on me to see how I was going to react. I was so happy to have them there with me!

Sara was in pants that were way too short for her. She had holes in her clothes and they were so very dirty. As I looked at her and smiled the sun was shining on her just right and I could see tiny, tiny, little bugs crawling on her vest. I had some hand lotion in my back pack and put some in my hand and then some in hers. I showed her how to rub it into her hands. Then I took and rubbed it into my arms up to my elbows. As she followed my actions her face glowed with delight as she smoothed the lotion into her dry little arms.

On my way home Sara found me and walked with me. She informed me that she wants to go home with me. We started a conversation of getting to know each other a little better. I wanted to see if she was an orphan and if perhaps there was a way I could find a better home for her. Sara does have a mother who lives in Kipsongo slums.

November 24^th Thursday is the second day of the conference. The group continues to grow in size. Some are even sleeping here so that they don’t have to travel. The women love to sing and dance. There are times they will raise their chair above their heads and start marching around. They will swing their handkerchiefs in the air. Their Bibles will be placed on their head and they will dance some more. There is always much action with their singing. The message is given in English and then someone will interpret it into Swahili for me. At the end they were given the opportunity to accept Jesus into their heart. Fourteen raised their hands today for salvation. What a song was sung in the heavens above!

After a lunch, of rice and beans, we broke the women up into small groups. I had a group of pastors and pastors’ wives. (All women) It was a time of open discussion of anything that they were having trouble with or needed help with. Guess who had to answer these questions! Knowing that the culture here is very different and there are just some things you don’t talk about I wasn’t sure just how far to go with the answers to some of their questions. I silently prayed for wisdom from above many times. The questions were very open and direct and the women longed to have someone inform them. I was amazed at how great the need is for teaching in just the basics of what to expect as one matures and goes through the different phases of life.

November 25^th, Friday the conference continues and so does the singing and dancing! These gals don’t seem to get tired! They love to celebrate. We went to the Bread of Life Center for lunch again today. It is also known as the, feeding station. It is a school for over 200 children in Kipsongo slums. They not only teach them but they feed them lunch as well. Many times there will be children at the gate that come just for the food. Today we had githari or beans and corn. While eating it began to pour and it didn’t stop for some time. We had to cancel our small group sessions in the afternoon because of the time lost due to the weather.

In the last hour of the day Sara joins me in the tent again. She is in the same dirty pants that she has seriously out grown. Before the conference is over I ask her if she is hungry. Her eyes get big and she nods. I have her follow me and as we get to the door of the tent she yells out for Alex. Alex is close by and comes running. They both enjoy some food and a soda from the vendor set up next to the tent.

The day has come to an end and from the van I scan the dump area. There are people scattered here and there through out the garbage. Some are gathering around an open fire that they have started as the night will soon fall upon us. There are small children huddled together in a group. One looks my way and with a big smile she raises her hand and waves as we leave their home and drive away.

Proverbs 31:8-9
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.