At the end of seven months we pack our suitcases and return to American soil. Our friends from the slums of Kawangware planned a special morning service on the Friday our flight left. They came to say goodbye. Hugs, gifts, and words of appreciation were given and a plea to come back soon. There was a sadness in the air along with some tears. We then had a special dinner at the pastor's home with a few of the church leaders. We were honored with chicken! It was a special treat to all.
Our last week in Nairobi was very busy with nights of 4 -5 hours of sleep. We spent one day with Pastor Joseph and Gladys and walked down the busy streets and past the river. It was a joy to see some of the street boys again. Their eyes brightened as they realized they had not been forgotten.
We made sure we took time to travel to the Bible League one last time before leaving. Fifty five people were blessed with new Bibles. The Bibles given out were written either in Swahili or English. Four study Bibles were given out to pastors. Between the villages of Shinyalu in western Kenya and the slums of Kawangware a total of 59 new Bibles were placed in happy hands. We want to thank our home church, Milton Assembly of God, for donating money to purchase Bibles. Also there were many who donated used Bibles that became a treasure to the receiver. Thank you one and all for blessing those that just do not have the income to purchase a Bible for themselves.
As Manley & I spent our last week saying goodbye to our friends a young girl stepped into our lives. To protect her we will call her "Joyce". Joyce, a Muslim, is from Somalia. She has never seen her parents as they were killed when she was young. As an orphan, in a dangerous war stricken land, she was treated badly and abused. Joyce meets a nun who shares the gospel story with her and she asks the Lord Jesus into her heart. A few days later the nun is brought out into the open and shot in front of the young eyes of Joyce. In fear of her life Joyce travels five days in the back of a truck to the border of Kenya to seek safety. Safe it was not. The driver of the taxi that she took and another man locked her in a room and raped her for a week. At 17 she finds herself pregnant. Afraid of death because she is now a Christian is a real fear for Joyce. She also worries that her baby will be taken from her. It rips at her heart. In the late hours of the night as we visit and pray together she speaks with tears in her eyes "All I have is Jesus and my baby". Please remember to pray for Joyce and her baby. She needs a safe place to live and raise her baby.
To everyone at the Warren Methodist Church in Warren, NH we send a special thank you for the medical supplies. They have traveled to different areas of Africa and have blessed many. They have met the needs of the street boys, orphans, those in the slums and even those on the mountain tops. Most had never seen such items and as they were given with instructions there was amazement on their faces.
We also want to thank Belknap Dental in Dover, NH for sending tubes of toothpaste to Africa. Can you imagine brushing your teeth with a small cutting from a branch? I've seen some of the handmade toothbrushes and I've talked with the people that have never used toothpaste. We are very blessed here in America!
Beanie babies of all kinds and colors put smiles on the children's faces from the slums of Kawangware to the small villages of western Kenya. Thank you Becky Amos and Denise Smith for showing love to the little ones.
As you have read this email and the emails that have previously been sent your way, you will notice a common trend. "You "have made this trip possible. You have put smiles on the faces of many. You have encouraged those in need. You have shown them love. You have walked with me.
My eyes have witnessed how much your giving has meant. Thank you everyone for loving those you have never met.
I look forward to visiting with you and sharing what God has done before returning to Africa in a few months. Thank you for all of your support and prayers J
Proverbs 19:17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.
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