Buckets of Rain

Much rain has fallen this week. Buckets upon buckets of rain have poured down on the red clay like roads of Kitale. It has made traveling into the mountain inadvisable. Please pray for peace in Kenya, the fighting continues on the Kenya – Somalia border. Waking early on Monday, October 2011, we learned of one grenade going off in Nairobi. Before the day was over another went off at a bus stop in Nairobi killing one person. This comes after the U S Embassy had sent out four emergency notices to U S Citizens in Kenya that it had received credible information of an imminent threat of terrorist attacks. There is much evidence of increased security in the Nairobi area now. One shopper mentions her car being searched and then her pocket book before she goes into a Nairobi store.

Being an eight hour bus ride away from Nairobi brings a totally different atmosphere. The country land here is peaceful. Crops are being harvested and maize is being sun dried on large canvas sheets.

October 25^th, Tuesday I walked through the busy markets of Kitale. The market area had puddles throughout the walk area because of the heavy rains the day before but it didn’t stop anyone. It was a busy place. I found my way to Gladys’ place. She was hidden away in behind the road front shops. The door to her hair shop was open and I was pleased to see from a far that she was there. I never spoke a word but pulled back the lace cloth that hung in the doorway. Gladys was sitting there by herself waiting for customers. She was quietly reading her Bible when she looked up and saw me standing there. A laugh of joy and delight filled the small quiet room. Gladys is a pastor’s wife. She is also a great interpreter and has traveled with us to many of the women’s meeting. It was so good to see that she was still strong in her faith and healthy. She confirmed like so many that I have talked with that the past year has been very difficult because of the food prices being so high.

I stopped at another place where a man was selling handmade items. To my surprise I was greeted by name!

October 27^th Thursday I started out walking toward town and then ended up on the back of a motorcycle for the rest of the way. Beverly & Sylvia picked me up in town and we traveled about 45 minutes on the road that would eventually take you to Lodwar. We stopped in a little village called Makutano which is near Kapenguria. We would be meeting with about 17 students who are taking a course in Old Testament Survey. Today we would be studying Hosea and Joel. Because of your giving we were able to once again bless those in need with reading glasses.

We want to thank Bud & Mary Post for the many reading glasses that they have donated. We also appreciate the Newington Town Church and Milton A/G for collecting eye glasses. These glasses have blessed many. Some of the tribes that have been blessed with glasses are the; Maasai, Pokot, Turkana, Luo, Luhya, Kikuyu, Kisii, and Ndorobo. Thank you.

October 28^th Friday we traveled back to the orphanage which cares for over 30 children from Kipsongo slums. They are very happy children full of energy and excited to see us. Today they were given green, black, red, and white beads to string and make a necklace. These are the colors of the Kenyan flag. Quietness took over the room as they focused on stringing these tiny, tiny beads. As we started home and traveled out to the main road we passed the prison. Today there were many prisoners outside. They were working hard at tilling the ground in their black and white striped prison clothes. Guards surrounded them as they worked.

Saturday October 29^th many of the missionaries in the surrounding areas came together for fellowship. It was great to see old friends and make new ones as well. In the process I learned that two good size snakes had been killed at Greg & Beverly’s. One snake was a green mamba, a very poisonous snake. This area is quite built up so I was somewhat surprised that snakes had been seen here. I understand now that when you are near corn fields or gardens you are more apt to see them!

Sunday October 30^th, I had been invited to speak at a church that was started in February 2010. Cornerstone Christian Fellowship is just a short ride out town. It sits in an open grassy field overlooking corn fields. The church was full of people of all ages. There were many children including one little girl that tried to pretend I wasn’t there. She was about 2 or 3 years old and walked around freely. She went up front with those leading the singing and faced everyone. She was not afraid to stand in front of everyone until she looked my way. When she looked at me she would cover her face with both hands! While speaking I noticed a woman with a very surprised look on her face. She was in awe at what I was saying. At the end of the service the pastor’s comments helped me understand this woman’s reaction. It seems that what I spoke on fell in line with their early morning Bible study. The pastor said it was like you were there with us but you were not! God is so faithful. He knows exactly what we need. I love to see how He works.

We thank you for praying for the little 10 year old boy with meningitis. He has been discharged from the hospital and has gone back to school :)

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Sitting On The Roof Tops

October 18^th, Tuesday was my last day in Nairobi before heading to western Kenya. The day was spent with Pastor Joseph and his wife, Gladys. They had moved to another location since I was here last. I had no idea that when I jumped onto a bus, then a matatu and then another mini bus that it would end up being a two hour journey. "Not far" has a totally different meaning here in Africa. We traveled into areas I had never been before. We left Nairobi behind and traveled on Thika Road, one of the newer roads recently build by the Chinese. We passed Kenya’s largest sports stadium. Moi Int’l Sports Center was built in 1987 and seats 60,000 people. We continued traveling into some smaller villages. We were in the Kasarani Santon area. We reached a small but busy village where many from Somalia had come to live.

I had come to visit however speakers were set up on the corner where many would pass by at the end of the day. I politely declined the invitation to speak as I did not come prepared. Time was marching on and the sun was setting. I needed to make sure I was on the other side of Nairobi before darkness took over. I didn’t come to speak. It wasn’t the plan for the day. I was tired and had a long trip ahead of me the next day. I didn’t even have my Bible with me.

Setting all excuses aside I found myself standing on the corner with a microphone in my hand. As the music stopped my voice took over and went out into the openness around me. People came to a stand still others continued on their way. Women hanging their laundry on the roof tops sat on the edges to listen. Those at the market stands all looked my way. They kept their distance but they were listening to what I had to say.

As we stood and waited for the right matatu to come along the dust from the road start to make me cough. Pastor Joseph informed me that I didn’t need to worry. The dust here was clean dust. It wasn’t like the dust of Nairobi which is dirty because of over population and poor drainage systems.

October 19^th, Wednesday my taxi arrived at 6:30 am. We traveled to the other side of Nairobi to the bus station. Today I would leave the busy and chaotic streets of Nairobi and head west. The bad air quality from the fumes of leaded fuel that fill the air would not be missed. Soon the busy city was behind us and the green vegetation took over the landscape. The views of the Great Rift Valley with the extinct volcanoes lining the background were spectacular. There were donkeys pulling carts with the whip of their master telling them how fast to run. Herds of cattle walked beside the roadway. One cow even made the bus come to a standstill as it slowly crossed the road. Buckets of freshly dug potatoes, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes and onions line the roadway. The bus makes an unexpected stop for some of the mamas to take advantage of the fresh produce. The zebras look so peaceful as they graze beside the road. In a golden grass land a serval is seen as it leaps in a playful manner. Police checks are common in Kenya and we had our share along the way but we were always permitted to travel through.

We pass over the equator near Nanyuki. It is said that because of the Coriolis effect that when toilets are flushed in the northern hemisphere they will spin to the right, in the southern hemisphere the water spins to the left. When you are on the equator it is a straight shot down.

The bus rolled into Kitale around 5 pm. It was time to settle in at the lodge and wait for the sun to rise over the Cherengani Hills in the morning.

Thursday the 20^th I traveled out to a piece of land that I viewed last time I was here. It was very fertile land and had a good size chicken farm on it. There were also large termite hills that were being used for making bricks. This year the evidence of hard and faithful work amazed me.

Seeds Children Home, an orphanage, is built and already houses over 30 orphans. The grounds have been worked and the many acres of corn have produced a great crop. Two cows have given birth and soon there will be an abundance of milk. The children touched my hair then braided my hair and were amazed that veins could be seen under my skin.

Picked and husked corn is drying in the barn enclosed with wire fencing

October 21^st Friday was another busy day. In the morning we went into Kipsongo slums which in English it means “The Place of the Dogs.” Within this area of severe poverty is a school that teaches over 200 children from Kipsongo.

They have the lower grades open and plan for expansion in the future. They also give each child lunch. For some it is the only meal they will have. It is amazing how happy the children are to receive a pencil. We send a special thank you to the children of Safe Haven in Somersworth, NH that made this gift along with others possible. You continue to bless the school children of Africa.

We put a few more miles on our vehicle and end up at Jeff & Carla’s. It was a nice ride with the Cherengani Hills in front of us. Jeff and Carla have taken in little ones that have been thrown away, left in the middle of a corn patch, dumped in the latrine, abused and left for dead. Their hearts are big and continue to welcome more. Instep Baby House now has over 100 little ones that they school and give care to.

Sunday the 23^rd of October was a day to worship the Lord inside a big tent set up beside the railroad tracks in Kitale. Before I even made it to the entrance of the tent I was welcomed by smiles and many little hands reaching my way. I had been remembered as I had spent time at their orphanage and school during the week.

The church quickly filled with many from different areas. Selena from Kipsongo slums remembered that last year I had been given a necklace that she made. It was here gift to God as she had nothing else to give. Theresa who tried to bless me with a rooster last year was also there. There were so many friends to greet once again. The clear blue sky gave way to the heat of the sun very early in the day. The temperature within the tent went higher and higher but so did the praises of the people within.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (NLT)

A Big Heart

October 11^th, 2011 Tuesday

Here in the slums no one has privacy. There isn’t a time to talk together without someone listening. Each shelter connects to the next with only a piece of sheet metal as a separation between the homes. There are eyes watching those that come and go through your doorway. There are ears that hear the words you speak. Life is very open for all to see.

“Flashing” is the word used here instead of abortion. The woman finds a doctor that will give her something to take that kills the baby. The baby is delivered dead and placed in a plastic dish pan. There will be no burial. There will be no tears but a fast pace walk with eyes downward to the latrine.

October 12, 2011 Wednesday

Within the crowds of people coming and going within the slums we stop now and then for a familiar face. We have visited many here and each day brings new challenges. Each day we meet more people that are hurting and in great need. The homes we enter are very much the same. Each unit has one door and one very small push out wooden window. The doorway will have a piece of cloth hanging in it for privacy during the daylight hours. It also serves as a buffer against the pesty flies. Inside there will be a couple wooden stools or a chair or two. A coffee table sits tightly between the chairs and the small bed. It becomes the table for their meals. On the floor at the end of the bed will be the kitchen dishes, glasses and water jug along with the little charcoal burner or stove. Extra belongings that one might have are stacked and covered. They are kept out of sight of others.

The day was going much as I expected. It was not unusual for a day in the slums until I walked into this wet alley way. It was small and narrow but we didn’t walk far from the road. Once inside this dark room my eyes started to adjust and I could see clearly. There were babies everywhere I looked. There were two large handmade cribs each holding 6 babies. There were babies on the mats on the floor. Some were sleeping, some were happy to see us and then there was one that didn’t like the white woman at all! A Kenyan woman cares for twenty babies all under the age of two. Evelyn’s heart is big and full of love. Please remember to pray for her. We had been walking with a bag of slipper socks that my mom, Charlotte Towne, had made. The babies will now have warm feet at night when they go to sleep. Over 118 slipper socks will warm the feet of little ones in Africa this year and there are more slipper socks on the way! Thank you

October 13, 2011 Thursday

The clouds were heavy above us today as we walked within the very familiar pathways of the slums. As we walked through the area where illicit brew is made my eyes fell upon a woman with a business beside the dusty road. Her small vegetable stand was built over the flowing stench. Garbage was molded into the earth around her by the many feet walking through it within a day’s time. Tomorrow will find a few more heaps added to it. She finds a piece of cardboard and puts it down near her stand. She relaxes on her piece of cardboard while sitting in the midst of the rubbish. With her feet nearly touching the top of the human waste, running like a brook in spring, she relaxes and begins to eat.

We walk into the area were we had a crusade in 2005. The area is very much the same. It is open low land with garbage running up the sides. Women stand in the midst of the garbage selling their tomatoes, kale, or carrots to those that can afford to buy.

Further into the day we visit a woman with 5 little girls. Helen is her husband’s first and oldest wife, he has three. She is feeling unloved, bitter and angry at what life has brought her. Carol has 2 little girls her husband has left her. There is a time of sharing and praying with both women. Their hardened faces full of pain and rejection start to soften. There is hope for a better tomorrow.

We carried a bag of bright orange and green shoes with us today. They were just the right size for these little girls. I was having a hard time making friends with one of them until she saw the shoes! She would not come near me the whole time I was there. She refused to smile and even though the others touched me and shook my hand she still kept her distance. When the shoes were placed on the table though that little hand reached out for mine. We are friends now. (A special thank you to my sister, Laura Lee Robbins, and the Yellow Zebra for the colorful children’s shoes)

October 16, 2011 Sunday

It was a day of worship with voices of praise going heavenward. Having a sound system turned up to full volume is the African way. Loud is better and distortion has a new meaning here! Today was different though. The last bit of our walk going toward the church was so quiet. There was a power shut down today for 9 hours in certain sections of Nairobi. Our praise service consisted of only voices singing out to God. It was a very beautiful thing to hear.

The children came to S.S. with their New Testaments today. There was so much excitement as they turned the pages. They followed the scripture verse by verse. They have such a strong desire to learn. It amazes me to listen to the knowledge they already have at such a young age. (A special thank you to Craig Hardy for the New Testaments)

We prayed for one of our young boys this morning. He is around 10 years old and was sent to the hospital yesterday. The first doctor that treated him suggested that he might have meningitis. He sent him to a bigger hospital as the child is seriously ill. We are waiting to hear more. Please remember to pray for him.

The church service was left in my hands today as the pastor traveled to his home land in Kakamega. It is time for the national testing for his oldest daughter and nephew. It will be one month of continuous testing over every subject. A student must finish with a grade of C+ or better to be able to continue their education at the university level. The pastor will be praying for all the students before they begin this time of exams.

Jackie prepared a lunch for us after the service. Six adults and three children filled her home. The meal was ready and hot when we arrived. Rice, beans and cabbage filled us all right to the top. There were many topics discussed as we chatted the afternoon away. There was a time of seriousness with questions being asked that had trouble and confused some. There was a time of reflecting on the goodness of God. There was a time of just laughing and being one. The family of God warms the heart.

This morning as we walked I asked Japheth how his day was going. It is good, was his reply. Then he went on to explain. I woke up this morning opened my eyes and saw light. So I said glory to God I am alive another day!

Proverbs 5:21 For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.